Latest List of Issues

2013

FSA Issues Notice On Cotton MAL/LDP Policy For '14 Crop Year (28k pdf)
12/30/2013
USDA's Farm Service Agency issued a notice advising their cotton state/county offices, CMA’s, LSA’s, and cotton clerks that legislation authorizing '14 crop year MAL’s and LDP’s had not been enacted. Learn more


Sen. Sessions' Letter Seeks Clarification on MALs (2.1mb pdf)
10/18/2013
Sen. Sessions (R-AL), ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, send a letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack regarding concerns with unanticipated changes to Marketing Assistance Loans and ongoing delays in the processing of MAL applications. Learn more


Senators' Letter Seeks MAL Reduction Clarification (555k pdf)
10/18/2013
Sens. Cochran (R-MS) and Chambliss (R-GA) were joined by 12 colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack requesting clarification of the basis for the decision to reduce Marketing Assistance Loans by 5.1% and to shutdown loan processing until software modifications are made. Learn more


US, Australian Cotton Industries Escalating Commitment to Responsibly-Grown Fiber
10/16/2013
The NCC and its export promotion arm, Cotton Council International, have joined with Cotton Australia and Cotton Incorporated as founding members of COTTON LEADS™ -- an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the responsible growing practices among U.S. and Australian cotton producers. Learn more


BRAZTAC Urges Solution To US-Brazil WTO Cotton Case (48k pdf)
10/04/2013
A letter to Congress from the Brazil Trade Action Coalition (BRAZTAC), conveyed support for a definitive solution to the US-Brazil World WTO cotton case in the context of the 2013 farm bill in order to avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in Brazilian trade retaliation against US goods and intellectual property rights. Learn more


USDA Summary Of Actions Affected By Shutdown (31k pdf)
10/04/2013
Although most USDA activities will be shut down or significantly reduced and most USDA employees will be furloughed, certain USDA activities would continue because they are related to law enforcement, the protection of life and property, or are financed through available funding (such as through mandatory appropriations or user fees). Learn more


NCC Relays Concerns Over CFTC Proposed Customer Protection Rules
09/20/2013
The NCC joined with more than 20 other agriculture and financial trade associations in a letter to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Gary Gensler expressing concern over proposed customer protection rules affecting participants in the futures markets. Learn more


Letter Urges House Passage of Immigration Bill (36k pdf)
08/02/2013
The NCC joined nearly 100 other agriculture organizations on a letter to House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Pelosi (D-CA) that also was circulated to each Representative -- urging them to support passage of immigration legislation that addresses the labor crisis facing American agriculture. Learn more


TPP Letter Signatories By State/Congressional District
07/11/2013
This document lists the 167 House Members by state and Congressional District that signed on to a letter to the US Trade Representative urging inclusion of strong rules of origin for textile and apparel products in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement currently being negotiated. Learn more


Letter To Ambassador Froman Cites Concerns With TPP Textiles Negotiations (1.76mb pdf)
07/10/2013
A letter to US Trade Representative Michael Froman signed by 167 Congressional Members conveyed concerns with the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, specifically the Vietnamese government's position regarding textile negotiations. Learn more


Letter Urging Senate Passage Of Immigration Reform Bill (55k pdf)
06/28/2013
The NCC, along with the National Cotton Ginners Assoc. and other agricultural organizations, sent a letter to the full Senate urging passage of immigraton reform legislation. Learn more


Brazil WTO Case Framework Agreement Summary/Background
06/14/2013
A NCC-prepared summary/background document on the Framework Agreement in the Brazil World Trade Organization Case notes that the Agreement delays Brazilian retaliation. Learn more


US Textile Industry Working for Acceptable TPP
06/14/2013
According to reports from the National Council of Textiles, the recently completed round of Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations conducted in Lima, Peru began to focus on a textile rule of origin. Learn more


Congressional Letter To USTR Expressing TPP Concerns
06/14/2013
Multiple Congress Members, including several from the Cotton Belt, have signed onto a letter to the US Trade Representative expressing their collective concern regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations -- and urging support for a yarn forward rule in the final TPP. Learn more


SURE Disaster Program Deadline Approaches for '11 Crops
06/03/2013
USDA's Farm Service Agency reminds producers they have until Friday, June 7, '13 to apply for assistance for '11 crop losses under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. The program provides crop disaster assistance payments to eligible producers on farms that have incurred crop production or quality losses. Learn more


NCC Conveys Opposition To Labeling Legislation (62k pdf)
05/10/2013
The NCC joined with other agricultural organizations on a letter to Congressional members opposing the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act. Learn more


NCC Letter Seeks EAAP Funds Release Date
05/10/2013
NCC President/CEO Mark Lange sent a letter to FSA Administrator Garcia expressing gratitude for the release of farm program payment funds and requesting a date for release of EAAP funds, which have been similarly placed on hold due to budget constraints. Learn more


EAAP Successfully Restored In Senate Farm Bill Mark-Up Document
05/09/2013
In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS), nine Cotton Belt Senators successfully urged inclusion of the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (EAAP) for domestic textile manufacturers in the Senate farm bill document. Learn more


Letter Urges Restoration of EAAP (353k pdf)
05/09/2013
A letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS), nine Cotton Belt Senators urged inclusion of the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (EAAP) for domestic textile manufacturers in the Senate farm bill document. Learn more


Reference Documents Regarding Restoration Of Upland Cotton Provisions of S.3240
05/09/2013
The NCC prepared a document outlining provisions of the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (EAAP) for domestic textile manufacturers. Learn more


Senate Panel Approves Pryor Amendment To Revise EPA’s SPCC Rules
05/09/2013
Sen. Pryor’s (D-AR) amendment 801 to the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 -- a revision to the EPA Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule for farms and ranches -- was accepted by unanimous consent in the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee on May 8. Learn more


Effective Crop Insurance Importance Conveyed (43k pdf)
05/03/2013
The NCC joined with 43 other organizations on a letter to Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Chairman Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS) conveying support for crop insurance and opposition to provisions that will limit its effectiveness as their Committee and the full Senate prepare to consider a comprehensive farm bill. Learn more


Inaugural Emerging Leaders Class Chosen
04/30/2013
The NCC has selected the first class of its new Emerging Leaders Program -- an effort aimed at ensuring the US cotton industry benefits from a continuity of sound leadership. Learn more


NCC Testifies on China Policies (68k pdf)
04/26/2013
NCC President/CEO Dr. Mark Lange testified on the current situation regarding cotton trade with China and the impacts of China’s cotton policies at an April 25, '13 hearing in Ames, IA, on China’s agriculture policy and US access to China’s market held by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Learn more


Immigration Bill Unveiled In Senate (268k pdf)
04/19/2013
A summary of an immigration reform bill, “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013,” includes provisions for agricultural employers. Learn more


'13 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials Announced
04/15/2013
USDA's Farm Service Agency announced the '13 crop loan rate differentials (and their tables) for upland and extra long staple cotton. Learn more


Letters Aimed At Getting Much-Needed TPP Provisions
04/09/2013
The NCC is joining the National Council of Textile Organizations in urging Representatives to cosign an important letter to Acting USTR Marantis that provides specific guidance to US negotiators on key provisions which must be included in any Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement presented to Congress for approval -- in order to earn industry's support and avoid disrupting the significant volume of trade built between the United States and the Western Hemisphere. Learn more


Letter Urges Support For Sound Crop Insurance Protection (104k pdf)
03/12/2013
The NCC joined 42 other commodity and agribusiness organizations on letters to both the Senate and the House agriculture committees' leaders expressing support for "strong, meaningful, and affordable crop insurance protection" and opposition to any crop insurance changes that would discourage producer participation or undermine private sector delivery. Learn more


House Approves Six-Month Continuing Resolution
03/06/2013
The House on March 6 approved (267-151) a six-month continuing resolution which, if enacted, would fund the government for the remainder of FY13. Learn more


Appreciation Conveyed For H.R. 935 Introduction
03/06/2013
Reps. Gibbs, Scott, Schrader and McIntrye were thanked, in a letter signed by the NCC and 84 other affected organizations, for their leadership on introducing the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 (H.R. 935) -- and clarifying that Clean Water Act permits are not required for the lawful application of FIFRA-approved pesticides. Learn more


Letter Expressing Concerns With American Family Economic Protection Act (27k pdf)
02/19/2013
The NCC joined with 13 other commodity organizations on a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) expressing deep concerns regarding the farm bill component of the American Family Economic Protection Act. More information on that measure is in the 2/15/13 issue of Cotton's Week (members only). Learn more


Explanation of American Family Economic Protection Act
02/15/2013
Senate Democratic leaders are expected to introduce “The American Family Economic Protection Act” which, if enacted, would eliminate sequestration (across-the-board cuts) in '13. The American Family Economic Protection Act would eliminate through January 2, 2014, any of the deep, across-the-board spending cuts known as “sequestration.” Learn more


Farm Service Agency Form CCC-933 (161k pdf)
02/15/2013
Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued a new form (CCC-933) which will be required before individuals may receive any ’13 crop farm program benefits -- and signup for ’13 crop programs begins on Feb. 19. Learn more


NCC: Senator Chambliss Will Be Missed
01/25/2013
NCC Chairman Chuck Coley said US agriculture will be losing a true champion with Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) not running for '14 re-election. Learn more


FSA Announces Signup Dates For '13 DCP/ACRE Programs
01/22/2013
USDA's Farm Service Agency reminds producers that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the '08 farm bill) for many Commodity Credit Corporation commodity, disaster, and conservation programs through '13. Learn more


Stabenow Applauds Reid For Prioritizing Farm Bill
01/22/2013
In a Jan. 22 statement, Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, applauded Majority Leader Harry Reid for his commitment to making a new farm bill priority legislation for the 113th Congress. Learn more


USTR Kirk Announces Plans to Depart
01/22/2013
Ambassador Ron Kirk announced on Jan. 22 that after nearly four years of service as United States Trade Representative, he intends to depart the position in late February. Learn more


Payment Eligibility and Payment Limitation Provisions for '13
01/18/2013
USDA issued a notice to county and state offices regarding the payment eligibility and payment limitation provisions for '13 as stipulated in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012's amending of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Learn more


Summary of Food Safety Modernization Act
01/11/2013
The NCC prepared a summary of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Signed into law on Jan. 4, ’11 by President Obama, it is the most significant expansion of food safety requirements and FDA authorities since the original enactment of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act in ’38. Learn more


Text of H.R. 8 -- The American Taxpayer Relief Act (215 k pdf)
01/04/2013
Early on Jan. 1, the Senate approved (89-8) The American Taxpayer Relief Act (H.R. 8) and the House, after a day of intense internal debate, followed suit 257-167. Learn more