Environmental concerns continue to play an important role in the media, public opinion, and, most importantly, in the US Congress. As a result, the U.S. cotton industry could significantly feel the impact of legislation intended to carry out farm programs as well as new programs which aim to conserve and protect our nation's natural resources. Many environmental issues will be debated in Congress during the next session. They run the spectrum from food safety issues to the quality of our groundwater. And the National Cotton Council and its Producers Task Force on Environmental Issues intend to be active in each and every one of them.

The last two farm bills focused on the environment with programs to conserve and preserve environmentally sensitive land and water. The programs also encouraged farmers to be proactive in developing practices which are environmentally sound. However, other legislation such as the Clean Water Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Federal Insecticide and Rodenticide Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Endangered Species Act will also influence agricultural policy and the cotton industry.

The potential for new changes in agricultural policy will depend on the willingness of Congress and its committees to work on controversial environmental legislation in an election year. However, change can also occur without the establishment of new laws. This is possible through the implementation of the conservation programs established in the last two farm bills, a new definition for wetland determinations, possible restrictions placed on farming practices because of the Coastal Zone Management Act (which is generally seen as the forerunner of the Clean Water Act) and the implementation of the provisions in the Endangered Species Act.

The members of our panel today will discuss these very important subjects, possible future changes, and how the may affect the cotton industry. We appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedules to be with us today and it is my pleasure to introduce them.

Here is James R. Moseley, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA, Geoffrey Grubbs, Director of Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, EPA; Dr. Paul Francis Schuda, Deputy Director, Environmental Fate & Effects Division, EPA; and Michael L. Davis, Assistant for Regulatory Affairs Office of The Assistant Secretary of The Army (Civil Works).

We will give each panelist time to speak on their topic and then open it up for questions from the audience.