Water spinach is a vitamin-rich, popular dietary item in Asian cuisine. The leaf vegetable is culturally important to Asian Americans and it can be found in almost any Asian restaurants in America. Yet, a species of this leaf vegetable, the true "water spinach" which grows in water, has not been permitted to grow in may states, including Texas, due to environmental concerns over its invasive, aggressive nature. However, the concerned "water spinach" species, farmed on wet soil in green houses, sold on the market, and consumed by Asian Americans in Texas and elsewhere, is a different species that poses little environment concerns.

In addressing this issue, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently proposed repeal of §57.136, an amendment to §57.113, and new §§ 57.136 and 57.137, concerning the cultivation, possession, and sale of water spinach. Under these proposed changes in water spinach regulation, the leaf vegetable would still be regulated but growers can grow it if they obtain licenses and meet the farming procedures set out by the state. These changes will provide an effective solution - enforcing environmental protection laws and ensuring the legitimate business and cultural interests of the impacted population.

Hence, VietAmCham supports these proposed regulations and accompanying amendments because they are in the best interest of businesses and growers who depend on the cultivation of water spinach to make a living. Without the regulations, TPWD officials have stated that they will have to close down cultivators.

To advocate for this issue:

• On October 16, 2009, VietAmCham wrote a letter of support on the new regulations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
• On October 21, 2009, VietAmCham sent our representatives to participate in a press conference in Houston, Texas, to present our supporting view and inform the community of the issue. The press conference was widely attended and covered by local and national media, including Fox News Channel 26, Local News Channel 2, the Houston Chronicle, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Saigon Houston Radio, and numerous community media venues.

VietAmCham will continue participating in the advocacy campaign until November 5, 2009, when the Commission votes on these regulations.