Latest List of Issues

2012

NCC Expresses Concern With Potential East/Gulf Coast Ports Strike (28k pdf)
12/20/2012
The NCC was one of 107 local, state and national trade associations that signed on to a letter to President Obama urging immediate action to ensure that a strike affecting the East and Gulf Coast ports does not occur when the current contract extension between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the US Maritime Alliance, LTD expires on December 29, '12. Learn more


ILA Authorizes Strike at Year End
12/11/2012
ILA Authorizes Strike at Year End Learn more


Letter Urges Aversion of East/Gulf Coast Port Shutdown (25k pdf)
12/11/2012
The NCC joined onto a multi-industry group letter to the heads of the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. urging both parties to make every attempt possible at reaching an agreement on a new contract beginning with next week’s scheduled negotiating session. Learn more


L.A., Long Beach Ports Strike Ends
12/05/2012
Harbor employers representatives and officers with the the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) reached agreement on Dec. 4 on terms of a new labor contract, ending the OCU's eight-day strike at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Earlier, a coalition representing U.S. manufacturers, farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and transportation and logistics (that included the NCC) sent <a href=issues/2012/upload/westcoaststrikelet120412.pdf>a letter</a> to the President Obama expressing deep concerns about the situation and urging the Administration to use whatever means necessary to get labor back to work. Learn more


Administration Urged to Halt Port Workers' Strike (29k pdf)
12/04/2012
The NCC joined with a coalition representing U.S. manufacturers, farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and transportation and logistics in expressing to the President deep concerns about the labor situation in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA. In their letter, they urged the Administration to use whatever means necessary, including Taft-Hartley, to get labor back to work. Learn more


Biotech Advisory Committee Completes Report
11/30/2012
The USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) recently submitted to Secretary Vilsack their final recommendations on coexistence among organic, biotech and conventional farming operations. Learn more


RMA Discusses '13 Crop Insurance With Commodity Groups
11/27/2012
USDA's Risk Management Agency held a conference call with commodity groups on Nov. 27 to discuss 2013 crop insurance premium rates. Nationally, average premium rates for upland cotton will not change but the average of individual states will see varying increases and decreases. Learn more


Ex-Im Bank Announces FY13 Advisory Committee Members
11/19/2012
The Board of Export-Import Bank of the United States appointed 16 members to the Bank’s Advisory Committee for '13, including John Bakane, CEO of Frontier Spinning Mills (NC). The Committee advises Ex-Im Bank on its policies and programs, in particular on the extent to which the Bank helps US exporters to compete. Learn more


Estate Tax Exemption Extension Urged (53k pdf)
11/14/2012
The NCC joined 34 other agricultural organizations on letters to Congress urging Senators and Representatives to act immediately and permanently renew the current estate tax provision, until such time as full repeal is possible -- a move that will give farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to conduct business. Learn more


NCC 2012 Election Results\Analysis (361k pdf)
11/12/2012
This NCC-prepared document includes new House and Senate members as well as a list of potential chairmen and ranking members of key House and Senate committees. Learn more


Brazil's Statement to the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body
10/26/2012
Brazil's Statement to the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body Learn more


Letter Regarding Support for H.R. 3158 (43k pdf)
07/27/2012
The NCC joined 12 other organizations on a letter to Reps. Mica, chairman, and Rahall, ranking member, of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, expressing support for the FUELS Act.<br /><br /> Learn more


NCC Letter to Sen. Hagan Regarding H.R. 872 Amendment
06/14/2012
The Honorable Kay Hagan United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Hagan: The National Cotton Council strongly supports your amendment #2367 to the 2012 farm bill, and we look forward to working with you to ensure its adoption. Learn more


H.R. 872 Background and Talking Points
06/14/2012
The NCC prepared an updated backgrounder and talking points on H.R. 872. Learn more


NCC, ABRAPA Issue Joint Statement
05/23/2012
The NCC and ABRAPA issued a joint statement following a recent meeting in Atlanta of US and Brazilian cotton industry leaders. Learn more


Congressional Members Urge Strong Textile Rules in the TPP Agreement
05/02/2012
The Textile and Apparel Alliance for the TPP (TAAT) expressed its deep appreciation to the 76 U.S. Representatives, led by Reps. Gowdy (R-SC) and Kissell (D-NC), who sent a letter on May 2 to US Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk stressing the need for job-creating textile rules in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). Learn more


Letter Urges Prompt Action on Estate Tax (138k pdf)
04/13/2012
The NCC has joined a large number of commodity, general farm, livestock and agribusiness organizations in a letter to the House and Senate urging prompt action to ensure that the existing estate tax provisions are not allowed to expire on Dec. 31. Learn more


Letter Urging Senators To Vote Yes on Ex-Im Amendment
03/23/2012
The NCC joined with NCTO and AAFA on a letter to Senators urging them to vote yes on an Export Import Bank Reauthorization amendment to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. Learn more


FCC Moves to Block LightSquared’s Network
02/15/2012
Based on conclusions by the National Telecommunications Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission moved on Feb. 14 to block LightSquared’s planned nationwide wireless network. Learn more


Brazil’s Claims Against Farm Bill Proposals Unfounded
02/07/2012
Contrary to the recent farm policy criticisms by Brazil, the NCC Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) represents a positive step forward in efforts to resolve the longstanding trade dispute between the two countries. Learn more


DOL Re-Proposing Part of Child Labor Rule
02/01/2012
In response to requests from Congressional Members and the public, including comments submitted by the NCC and other agricultural organizations, the Department of Labor is “re-proposing” the portion of their proposed child labor rule regarding the agricultural parental exemption. Learn more


USDA Publishes AGI Fact Sheet (413k pdf)
01/23/2012
USDA recently published a fact sheet that explains the current requirements for farm program eligibility relative to a producer’s adjusted gross income. Learn more


USDA Announces Blueprint for Stronger Service
01/10/2012
Saying USDA must be built to meet the evolving needs of a 21st century agricultural economy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the agency's plan to streamline operations and cut costs. Learn more