Latest List of Issues

2011

Commodity Checkoff Support Reiterated
12/13/2011
The NCC joined 19 other agricultural organizations on identical letters to the chair and ranking member of both the Senate and House agriculture committees and to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, reiterating their strong support for the various state and federally authorized research and promotion programs, commonly known as checkoffs, in which those organizations’ members participate. Learn more


USDA Issues AGI Implementation Notice
12/09/2011
The FY12 agriculture appropriations bill that was recently signed into law includes a provision requiring USDA to implement an additional adjusted gross income (AGI) test to determine eligibility for ’12 direct payments. Learn more


AGI Implementation Notice (286k pdf)
12/09/2011
USDA issued a Notice that provides Farm Service Agency offices with instructions to implement the new AGI test. Learn more


Pesticide Policy Coalition Letter Regarding H.R. 872 Advancement
12/05/2011
On Nov. 30, '11, the Pesticides Policy Coalition sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) stating that Congress should act to restore the appropriate scope of the NPDES permitting process through adoption of H.R. 872. The NCC is a member of that coalition, which includes 39 agricultural and agribusiness organizations. Learn more


Letter Asks For Comment Period Extension on DOL child Labor Proposal
12/02/2011
The NCC joined with other agricultural organizations on a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) seeking an extension of the comment period on the DOL's published notice of proposed rulemaking that would make significant and sweeping changes to regulations issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Learn more


NCC Co-Signer of Comments Regarding DOL Child Labor Proposal (363k pdf)
12/02/2011
The NCC co-signed comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise child labor regulations in agricultural and non-agricultural occupations, including regulations for determining and assessing civil penalties in child labor enforcement proceedings. Learn more


Recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (616k pdf)
11/18/2011
House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders submitted detailed policy recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction on Nov. 18, '11. The recommendations detail policy changes to begin in '13 that are necessary to achieve the $23 billion in budget deficit reduction recommended earlier by the ag leadership. Learn more


Ag Groups Letter Urging Senate Rejection Of FY12 Ag Appropriations Bill Amendments (87k pdf)
10/21/2011
The NCC joined with agriculture groups in a letter urging the Senate to reject amendments to the FY12 agriculture appropriations bill under consideration as part of the minibus. The groups were alarmed by the number of amendments that, if enacted, would make significant changes to current farm law. Learn more


NCC Letter Conveying Concern Over McCain Amendment (119k pdf)
10/21/2011
The NCC's letter expressed concern that an amendment filed by Sen. McCain (R-AZ) to the mini-omnibus appropriations measure that includes the FY12 agriculture appropriations measure would, if enacted, result in the United States violating terms of the US-Brazil Framework Agreement and trigger retaliation against US exports. Learn more


Letter to EPA Administrator Jackson Regarding Air Quality (59k pdf)
10/21/2011
In an Oct. 14 letter to Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN), EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson proposed retention of the current PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Learn more


Obama Administration's Budget Deficit Plan (1.33mb pdf)
09/30/2011
Further details regarding the Obama Administration’s budget deficit plan emerged when The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction was announced. Learn more


’12 DCP/ACRE Enrollment Begins Jan. 23
09/28/2011
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that enrollment for the ’12 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and Average Crop Revenue Election program will begin Jan. 23, ’12. The agency said signup is beginning later than normal to provide FSA offices with an opportunity to process ’10 crop Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program applications and finalize supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs but because the ’08 farm law does not authorize advance direct payments for ’12, there is no incentive for producers to sign up early. Learn more


President Sends Deficit-Reduction Plan to Congress
09/21/2011
The $4.4 trillion deficit-reduction plan includes $33 billion in savings from agriculture subsidies by: 1) eliminating direct payments, 2) reducing subsidies to crop insurance companies and 3) targeting of agricultural conservation assistance. Learn more


NCC Comments on Area-Wide Insurance Rule (47k pdf)
09/21/2011
The NCC submitted comments to a Federal Crop Insurance Corporation proposed rule that will expand the availability of area-wide insurance products. Learn more


Deficit Reduction Committee Schedules First Meeting
09/06/2011
The joint congressional committee charged with developing a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years has set its first meeting for Sept. 8. Learn more


USDA Federal Register Notice Regarding Information Reporting (186k pdf)
07/22/2011
USDA published a request for comments in the Federal Register “to help us improve services and reduce duplication of effort, including collecting information from the public.” Learn more


NCC Letter to President Regarding Debt Ceiling
07/19/2011
The NCC joined with 33 other organizations on a letter to President Obama urging a timely resolution to the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations. Learn more


Farm Groups Concerned About Deficit Reduction Efforts (21k pdf)
06/14/2011
The NCC joined with 132 other farm organizations on a letter to President Obama, House Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid expressing strong opposition to any deficit reduction package that would disproportionately affect US farmers/ranchers and rural America -- noting particular concern with the depth/timing of cuts to agricultural policies reportedly being considered for inclusion in legislation to increase the debt limit. Learn more


FY12 Ag Appropriations Bill Moves to Full Committee
05/26/2011
A FY12 agriculture appropriations bill, reported by the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee without amendment on May 24, will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee on May 31 with numerous amendments expected. Learn more


Morganza Floodway Bulletin Issued
05/20/2011
The USDA bulletin was issued on May 19 regarding the Morganza Floodway, which is part of the Mississippi River Valley Project located about 20 miles south of Natchez, Mississippi. Learn more


Senate Democrats Send Budget Letter to President (573k pdf)
05/20/2011
In a letter signed by Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee Chairman Stabenow (D-MI) and nine colleagues from that panel, the Senators expressed their “serious concerns that the on-going budget negotiations impose imprudent cuts at the expense of the real needs of rural America and the 16 million jobs that come from agriculture.” Learn more


NCC Supports Textile Research Funding Quest
05/17/2011
The NCC joined 13 other organizations representing the nation’s nearly 500,000 fiber, yarn, fabric, apparel, home furnishings and specialty fabrics applications workers on letters to: 1) the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee (CJS) and 2) North Carolina House leaders <a href=/issues/2011/cobkisslet.cfm>Coble and Kissell</a>. The letters asked that the CJS include $5 million in FY12 for a competitive textile research program specifically designed to advance the technological capabilities and overall competitiveness of the US fiber, textile and apparel industries. Learn more


Letters to Reps. Coble, Kissell Regarding Textile Research Funding
05/17/2011
The NCC joined 13 other groups on letters to North Carolina Reps. Coble and Kissell in support of FY12 textile research funding. Learn more


Flooding of the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway
05/11/2011
The Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway (Floodway) is a component of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in southeast Missouri just below the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Learn more


Flood and Drought Disaster Concerns Continue (Updated: 5/20/11)
05/11/2011
Questions have arisen regarding the crop insurance coverage for flooding that resulted from the Army Corps of Engineers’ actions to relieve pressure on the Mississippi River Levee system. Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Murphy issued bulletins clarifying crop insurance indemnity eligibility for cropland flooded as a result of the Corps’ levee breach at Birds Point/New Madrid and the opening of the Morganza Spillway. Learn more


Opening Statement by Ag Committee Ranking Member Peterson to Consider H.R. 1573
05/04/2011
An opening statement also was provided by Ag Committee Ranking Member Peterson to consider H.R. 1573. Learn more


Opening Statement of House Ag Committee Chairman Lucas On H.R. 1573
05/04/2011
Chairman Lucas, during the Ag Committee's Business Meeting to Consider H.R. 1573, said the Committee was moving forward with legislation that is a product of four hearings in this Committee. Learn more


H.R. 1573 Co-Sponsors
05/04/2011
There were 18 co-sponsors of H.R. 1573, "Extending the Deadline for Implementation of Title VII of Dodd-Frank," which was passed on May 5 by the House Agriculture Committee. Learn more


House Finance Panel Passes H.R. 1573 (Updated 5/25/11)
05/04/2011
On May 24, the House Financial Services Committee amended and subsequently passed legislation that would delay implementation of a major portion of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, until Sept. ’12. Learn more


President Signs H.R. 4 into Law
04/25/2011
On Thursday, April 14, 2011, the President signed into law H.R. 4, the “Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011,” which repeals the expansion of requirements for businesses to report information to the Internal Revenue Service on payments for goods of $600 or more annually to other businesses. Learn more


NPDES Michigan Coalition Letter to Senator Stabenow
04/25/2011
The final letter that was sent today to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) from 35 Michigan based organizations regarding their support for H.R. 872. Learn more


FY11 Continuing Resolution Program Cuts For Agriculture(346k pdf)
04/15/2011
This is a complete list of cuts to agriculture in (H.R. 1473), which completes work on FY11 appropriations and is expected to be signed by President Obama. Learn more


Letter to Senators Regarding Ag Equipment Depreciation (389k pdf)
04/06/2011
The NCC joined onto a letter with 11 other agricultural and commodity organizations to Senators urging them to co-sponsor S.700, a tax initiative that would make the five-year ag equipment depreciation schedule permanent. Learn more


Ag Equipment Depreciation Amendment Introduced
04/06/2011
Sens. Stabenow (D-MI), Roberts (R-KS), Moran (R-KS) and Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S.700 that would amend the tax code to permanently establish a five-year depreciation schedule for agricultural equipment placed in service after December 31, '09. Learn more


Letter Conveys Opposition to Farm Bill, Crop Insurance Cuts (81k pdf)
04/06/2011
The NCC joined with 21 other agricultural and commodity organizations on a letter to House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NC) expressing strong opposition to the inclusion of cuts to farm bill and crop insurance mandatory funding in any compromise package on FY11 appropriations. Learn more


Vote Tally On H.R. 872
03/31/2011
The House vote was 292-130 on H.R. 872, a bill to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes. Learn more


Short Temik® Supply Forces Prompt Action by Producers
03/23/2011
An already short supply of Temik®, coupled with Bayer CropScience’s recent announcement terminating production of methyl isocyanate (MIC), the active ingredient in Temik® and Sevin®, caught many producers by surprise. Learn more


Letters Regarding EPA Dust Rule (158k pdf)
03/17/2011
Rep. Fincher (R-TN) has joined fellow freshman Rep. Noem (R-SD) in circulating a Dear Colleague letter urging House Members to co-sign their letter to EPA Administrator Jackson – a letter that expresses opposition to EPA considering any proposal to reduce the current standard for coarse particulate matter (dust). Learn more


Rep. Fincher Takes Lead On EPA Dust Rule Opposition
03/17/2011
Rep. Fincher (R-TN) has joined fellow freshman Rep. Noem (R-SD) in circulating a Dear Colleague letter urging House Members to co-sign their letter to EPA Administrator Jackson – a letter that expresses opposition to EPA considering any proposal to reduce the current standard for coarse particulate matter (dust). Learn more


Temporary Funding Bill Passed by House and Senate
03/15/2011
On March 17, the Senate passed (87-13) a sixth resolution (H.J. Res. 48) which will keep the government running through April 8. Learn more


House Ag Panel Urges No Significant Ag Programs Spending Cuts
03/15/2011
The House Agriculture Committee is urging House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan (R-WI) not to include significant spending cuts to agriculture programs in the FY12 budget, citing projected crop-insurance savings and past multi-year reductions in other areas. (Press Date 3/15/11) Learn more


New Spending Bill Going to House Floor
03/14/2011
On March 11, House Republican leaders said they would bring a new three-week funding bill (summary of program reductions and terminations included) to the House floor on March 15 as the current two-week continuing resolution expires on March 18. <a href=/issues/2011/crup.cfm> Status Update:</a> On March 17, the Senate passed (87-13) a sixth resolution (H.J. Res. 48) which will keep the government running through April 8. (Press Date 3/17/11) Learn more


H.R. 872 Co-Sponsors (Posted 3-28-11)
03/11/2011
The list of co-sponsors for H.R. 872 a bipartisan bill introduced on March 2 to reduce the regulatory burdens imposed by the court case, National Cotton Council v. EPA (Posted 3-28-11). Learn more


Senate Leaders Urged to Advance H.R. 872
03/11/2011
A letter from the Pesticides Policy Coalition, of which the NCC is a member, urged Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) to promptly advance H.R. 872 to preempt EPA implementation of the overreaching and unneeded expansion of EPA regulatory authority. The coalition noted that “we legitimately question the need for this tremendous expansion of the NPDES permit program in view of the additional burden and unwarranted legal jeopardy it now imposes on pesticide users.” Learn more


NCC Joins Onto Letter Supporting Repeal Of 1099 Reporting Rule (24k pdf)
03/03/2011
The NCC joined with other agricultural and business organizations on a letter to House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Pelosi (D-CA) in support of the repeal of new IRS Form 1099 information return filing requirements. (Press Date 3/2/11) Learn more


NCC Joins Onto Letter Regarding Continuing Resolution For FY11 Budget
02/18/2011
The NCC joined with organizations representing US agriculture producers and industry in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee expressing concern with H.R. 1, the Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY11. Learn more


Sen. Roberts Becomes Top Senate Ag Committee Republican
02/02/2011
Sen. Pat Roberts made history after being voted the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Learn more


Letters Sent In Support of Paperwork Elimination Legislation (26k pdf)
02/01/2011
The NCC has joined with other farm, livestock and commodity organizations on letters supporting one House bill and two Senate bills aimed at repealing form 1099 information reporting requirements. The NCC supported similar efforts last year. Learn more