Latest List of Issues

2018

NCC Comments on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
12/21/2018
The NCC filed comments with the International Trade Commission in support of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade pact negotiated to update and replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement. Learn more


Letter From 489 Groups Conveys H.R. 2 Support
12/14/2018
The NCC, cotton industry segment groups, and producer interest organizations signed onto a broad agriculture industry letter sent on December 12 to Congressional Members in support of the farm bill. Learn more


Comments Submitted to EPA on Oxamyl
12/10/2018
The NCC's comments to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs regarding the agency’s pending registration decision for Oxamyl -- urged the agency to recognize the product's long-term registration and to recognize the unique mode of action it offers for resistance management scenarios. Learn more


Hurricane Relief Appropriations Asked
11/30/2018
A letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led by Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) asked that "as leaders of the United States Senate you direct this body to work with the House of Representatives to include emergency appropriations for those states affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in the next appropriations bill the Senate considers.” Learn more


Letter Urges Disaster Assistance Legislation
11/30/2018
A letter led by Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC) and Al Lawson (D-FL) to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urged Congress to pass agriculture disaster assistance prior to adjourning for the year noting that, “Providing this assistance before the end of the year is critical in helping producers obtain the resources they need to continue producing the food and fiber upon which our country relies.” Learn more


Letter Cites Agricultural Disaster Assistance Need
11/16/2018
The NCC, along with regional and state cotton organizations and state farm bureaus in the Southeast, sent a letter to leadership of the House and Senate agriculture committees and agriculture appropriations subcommittees requesting an agricultural disaster relief package in response to the two hurricanes that devastated portions of the Southeast. Learn more


2018 Mid-Term Election Roundup
11/08/2018
This NCC-compiled document contains results from the 2018 mid-term election and other information such as profiles of those who will serve in the 116th Congress. Learn more


Letter Urges Disaster Relief
11/02/2018
Reps. Bob Aderholt (R-AL) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee leaders urging passage of a supplemental disaster appropriations bill to address the series of natural disasters in 2018. Learn more


"Economic & Policy Situation for U.S. Cotton in 2018/19"
10/19/2018
This document, produced by the National Cotton Council in October 2018, provides important information regarding: 1) acreage/production, 2) exports, 3) the Market Facilitation Program, 4) the 2018 Seed Cotton Program and 5) projected support for Upland cotton for the 2018/19 marketing year. Learn more


NCC Comments Urge Improved EPA Consultation Process
09/28/2018
NCC comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) encourages the FWS to improve its consultation process with EPA during the registration and re-registration process of pesticides. Learn more


NCC Comments Support ESA Revisions
09/28/2018
NCC-submitted  comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service support language revisions to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Learn more


Comments Support FWS Proposal to Revise Regulations
09/28/2018
In the first of three sets of NCC-submitted  comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the NCC offered support for FWS’ proposal to revise its regulations for prohibitions to threatened wildlife and plants. Learn more


Comments Cite Acephate's Importance
09/21/2018
The NCC submitted comments to EPA asking the agency to recognize the critical value of acephate which the NCC says is a critical mode of action (MOA) in combination with other MOAs to control the tarnished plant bug. Learn more


Letter Conveys Need For Dicamba
08/28/2018
State agricultural and cotton-specific organizations, including the NCC, sent an August 27 letter to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler in support of the continued registration of the new formulations of dicamba for the control of resistant weeds across the U.S. Cotton Belt. Learn more


Letter Supports Dicamba Registration Extension
08/28/2018
A letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler from the Pesticide Policy Coalition conveyed the coalition's support for the extension of registrations of dicamba formulations -- developed to address current weed control needs -- in time for producers to make purchasing decisions for the 2019 crop year. Learn more


NCC Letter Expresses Concern Regarding Revoked Registration For Chlorpyrifos
08/24/2018
A NCC letter to Kristi Boswell, senior advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture, conveyed concerns about the recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ordering EPA to revoke tolerances and registrations for chlorpyrifos. Learn more


Letter to EPA Urges Rehearing on Chlorpyrifos
08/24/2018
In a letter from the NCC to Nancy Beck, EPA’s deputy assistant administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution, the agency is urged to petition the Ninth Circuit Court for a rehearing regarding chlorpyrifos registration. Learn more


Letter to EPA Official Highlights Chlorpyrifos' Importance
08/24/2018
The NCC argued for the continued registration of chlorpyrifos in a letter to Elizabeth Bennett, EPA’s associate administrator, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education. Learn more


Letter to Perdue, Wheeler Highlights Chlorpyrifos’ Importance
08/24/2018
The NCC joined members of the Chlorpyrifos Alliance on a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler highlighting chlorpyrifos’ crucial importance to pest management. Learn more


EPA's Wheeler Letter Clarifies WOTUS Supreme Court Decisions
08/17/2018
A letter organized by AFBF to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler clarified points from Supreme Court decisions regarding WOTUS. Learn more


WOTUS Rescinding Comments Submitted
08/17/2018
The NCC filed comments supporting a supplemental rule to justify rescinding the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). Learn more


Comments Support Regulatory Transparency
08/17/2018
The NCC joined onto comments supporting regulatory transparency as long as it doesn’t hamper EPA’s pesticide office using subscription-only data banks. Learn more


NCC Joins Onto AFBF Letter Regarding Supreme Court WOTUS Decisions
08/17/2018
Letter organized by AFBF to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler clarifying points from Supreme Court decisions regarding WOTUS. Learn more


NCC Comments Support Afidopyfropen Registration
08/17/2018
The NCC submitted comments to EPA supporting the registration of the insecticide afidopyfropen targeting aphids and whiteflies in cotton. Learn more


Letter Supporting Regulatory Reforms in Farm Bill's Horticulture Title
08/17/2018
The NCC joined onto a Pesticide Policy Coalition letter in support of regulatory reforms included in the Horticulture Title of the farm bill. Learn more


WAC Comments Support WOTUS Supplemental Proposal
08/17/2018
The Waters Advocacy Coalition's comments filed with EPA support the WOTUS supplemental proposal. Learn more


Letter Supporting Barrasso's ESA Draft Bill
08/17/2018
The NCC sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barrasso (R-WY) supporting his draft bill to correct several problems with the Endangered Species Act. Learn more


2018 Farm Bill Information
08/17/2018
This page contains links to documents and to websites containing information related to the 2018 farm bill. Learn more


Letter Cites MAP, FMD Importance
08/17/2018
The NCC joined numerous other member organizations of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports on a letter to the House and Senate farm bill conferees supporting the MAP and FMD programs. Learn more


House, Senate Farm Bills’ Timely Reconciliation Sought
08/17/2018
A broad coalition of more than 150 agriculture, commodity, lending, conservation, nutrition, and rural organizations (including the NCC) sent a letter to the Senate and House agriculture committees' chairmen and ranking members asking them to quickly reconcile the House and Senate farm bills’ differences so new law can be enacted. Learn more


Letter Urges Timely Farm Bill Completion
08/16/2018
A letter sent August 16 to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate agriculture committees from the NCC and 66 other undersigned U.S. cotton industry and related organizations conveyed strong support of 2018 farm bill completion by year's end. Learn more


Corteva Issues Statement Regarding Chlorpyrifos
08/10/2018
Corteva said in a statement issued the week of August 6 that it will continue to support the growers who need chlorpyrifos -- which it says is a critical pest management tool used by growers worldwide to manage a large number of pests. Learn more


Comments Address Agricultural Biotechnology Regulations
08/03/2018
The NCC submitted comments to USDA’s Animal and Health Inspection Service regarding the agency’s proposed revisions to its biotechnology regulations in part 340 within Title 7 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Learn more


Letter Conveys Support for Stump, Berkovitz
08/03/2018
The NCC, along with several other industry groups, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) strongly supporting the nominations of Dawn DeBerry Stump and Dan Berkovitz as CFTC commissioners. Learn more


NCC Submits BiOps Comments for Chlorpyrifos, Malathion
07/26/2018
The National Cotton Council sent comments to EPA reviewing Biological Opinions (BiOps) submitted to that agency by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the requirements of the Endangered Species Act consultation process. Learn more


House Farm Bill Conferees Named
07/20/2018
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced 47 House conferees for the farm bill. Learn more


Comments Note Support For GE Cotton Deregulation
07/05/2018
The NCC filed comments with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in support of a genetically engineered cotton designated as event GHB811. Learn more


Detailed Comments Note Concerns With Food Disclosure Rule
07/05/2018
Nearly 100 agricultural organizations, including the NCC, the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association and U.S. Canola Association filed comments on USDA's proposed rule to implement the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The comments noted  that any mandated disclosures must not disparage biotechnology, impose undue regulatory burdens, or create market discrimination when there are no material differences between conventional foods and foods derived from biotechnology. Learn more


Comments Filed on Food Disclosure Rule
07/05/2018
The NCC is a member of the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food (“the Coalition”) which submitted feedback on USDA's  proposed rule on establishing a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. Learn more


Summary of Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Select Provisions
06/29/2018
The NCC prepared a preliminary summary of Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Senate farm bill) select provisions. Learn more


Letter Pushes For EEAP Funding
06/29/2018
Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) initiated a letter with 16 Senators that was sent to the Senate Agriculture Committee urging full EAAP funding. Learn more


Almost Half Of States Covered By WOTUS Injunctions
06/15/2018
Listed in this document are states that are covered and not covered by preliminary injunctions against the 2015 WOTUS rule. Learn more


Letter Urges Balanced Farm Bill
06/15/2018
The NCC coordinated a June 13letter, led by Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) with 12 other Cotton Belt Senators, that was sent to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee urging support for a balanced bill that protected cotton priorities including seed cotton in ARC/PLC, Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, and extra-long staple cotton provisions. Learn more


Letter Commends Leadership on Farm Bill Introduction
06/12/2018
The NCC was part of a coalition of national organizations which sent a June 12, 2018 letter  commending Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for their bipartisan leadership on the introduction of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The letter also conveyed the groups' opposition to any harmful amendments to this farm bill which they emphasize would offer policies that support production agriculture, crop insurance, conservation programs, research and expanding foreign markets critical to providing farmers with consistent policy for the next five years. Learn more


Letter Seeks CFTC Full Funding
06/01/2018
‎The NCC joined with 15 other organizations on a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services in support of full funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Learn more


NCC Comments on Groundwater/Surface Water Connections
05/25/2018
The NCC joined 22 other agricultural and forestry stakeholders on submitting May 21 comments on whether pollutant discharges from sources that reach jurisdictional waters via groundwater or other subsurface flow that has a direct hydrologic connection to the jurisdictional water may be subject to Clean Water Act regulation. Learn more


NCC Comments on Nematicide
05/18/2018
The NCC submitted comments in May 2018 to EPA supporting the registration of a new active ingredient (trade name: Trunemco) targeting nematodes in cotton. Learn more


Appreciation Conveyed to Conaway For Regulatory Focus
05/11/2018
The NCC joined 30 other stakeholders in sending a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) thanking him for his leadership in addressing regulatory issues in the farm bill’s Title IX. Learn more


Letter Urges No Weakening of Berry Amendment
05/11/2018
The NCC joined with the National Council of Textile Organizations and 18 other organizations on a letter to the House Armed Services Committee's chairman and ranking member urging rejection of any amendments inconsistent with the Berry Amendment. Learn more


Letter Conveys Strong Opposition to Harmful Farm Bill Amendments
05/10/2018
The NCC joined with more than 300 agricultural organizations on a letter to House Members urging their strong opposition to any amendments that could critically hurt farm families during House floor consideration of the farm bill -- as net farm income has fallen by 52% in recent years, the steepest decline since the Great Depression. Learn more


No Harmful Amendments to Crop Insurance Urged
05/04/2018
The NCC joined 64 other agriculture, insurance and conservation organizations on a letter to all House Members urging them to oppose harmful amendments to crop insurance when the farm bill is being debated on the floor of the House. Learn more


Summary of Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program
05/03/2018
The National Cotton Council prepared a summary of the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP), with funding provided by Congress to help producers affected by the hurricanes and wildfires in 2017. Learn more


NCC Comments Note Cypermethrin's Plant Protection Importance
05/01/2018
The NCC's April 30, 2018, comments on EPA's “Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for cypermethrin, say it is part of a pyrethroid group that provides critical value in managing destructive cotton pests such as budworms, bollworms, plant bugs, and stinkbugs. Learn more


NCC Comments Cite Pymetrozine's Crop Protection Contribution
05/01/2018
The NCC's April 30, 2018, comments on EPA's “Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for pymetrozine noted that its unique Mode of Action has long been a crop protection tool crop protection tool available for producers’ Integrated Pest Management programs and Insect Resistance Management programs. Learn more


NCC Comments on Pyrithiobac-Sodium's Resistance Management Role
05/01/2018
The NCC's April 30, 2018 comments on EPA's “Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for pyrithiobac-sodium urged the agency to recognize that this herbicide ingredient continues to have a key role in resistance management for cotton production. Learn more


NCC Comments on Acetamiprid Benefits
05/01/2018
The National Cotton Council's April 30, 2018, comments on EPA's “Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for acetamiprid urged the agency to recognize that this neonicotinoid has provided cotton producers an additional tool to enhance Integrated Pest Management programs and Insect Resistance Management programs while preserving or enhancing human safety. Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Pethoxamid
04/26/2018
The NCC submitted comments to EPA in response to the agency's notice of a new product registration for the herbicide, pethoxamid. Learn more


NCC Comments on Glyphosate Re-registration
04/26/2018
The NCC, along with 20 other cotton producer organizations, responded to EPA's draft human health risk assessment for the re-registration of glyphosate. Learn more


NCC Priorities and Achievements
04/26/2018
In April 2018, the National Cotton Council compiled a list of its priorities for enhancing its continued ability to secure industry policy and convey a unified position to lawmakers and regulatory officials. This document also lists some key achievements of U.S. cotton's central organization on behalf of the industry's seven segments. Learn more


Comments Submitted on Dinotefuran
04/20/2018
NCC comments submitted to EPA on its draft human health and non-pollinator ecological risk assessment for dinotefuran highlighted the unique mode of action that this neonicotinoid insecticide provides to cotton producers to enhance their Integrated Pest Management and Insect Resistance Management programs. Learn more


Comments Submitted on Thiamethoxam
04/20/2018
NCC comments submitted to EPA on its draft human health and non-pollinator ecological risk assessment for thiamethoxam highlighted the unique mode of action that this neonicotinoid insecticide provides to cotton producers to enhance their Integrated Pest Management and Insect Resistance Management programs. Learn more


Comments Submitted on Clothianidin
04/20/2018
NCC comments submitted to EPA on its draft human health and non-pollinator ecological risk assessment for clothianidin highlighted the unique mode of action that this neonicotinoid insecticide provides to cotton producers to enhance their Integrated Pest Management and Insect Resistance Management programs. Learn more


Comments Submitted on Imidacloprid
04/20/2018
NCC comments submitted to EPA on its draft human health and non-pollinator ecological risk assessment for imidacloprid highlighted the unique mode of action that this neonicotinoid insecticide provides to cotton producers to enhance their Integrated Pest Management and Insect Resistance Management programs. Learn more


Summary of Key H.R. 2 (Farm Bill) Provisions
04/20/2018
The NCC prepared a summary of select provisions of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) which was approved by the House Agriculture Committee on April 18. Learn more


Letter Conveys Support For H.R. 2 (Farm Bill)
04/20/2018
The NCC and 45 other cotton organizations sent an April 17 letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway (R-TX) noting the groups’ support for the introduction and consideration of H.R. 2. Learn more


Letter Seeks Comments Extension on Three Pesticides
04/13/2018
The NCC, along with 37 other organizations, requested that EPA extend the current comment period for the National Marines Fisheries Service’s Biological Opinion for  chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion by 90 days. Learn more


Letter Conveys U.S. Cotton Industry Support For Wheeler
04/13/2018
The NCC, along with 14 other cotton organizations, sent a letter to Cotton Belt senators on April 11, 2018, asking them to support Andrew Wheeler as Deputy EPA Administrator -- and he was confirmed by the Senate for that post soon after. Learn more


Support Conveyed for Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
04/06/2018
The NCC joined 34 other agricultural and rural organizations on a letter to the leaders of the Senate and House agriculture committees urging them to reauthorize and fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network in the upcoming farm bill. Learn more


NCC Nominates Caprio For EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel
03/29/2018
The NCC sent a letter to EPA recommending the nomination of Dr. Michael A. Caprio, associate-full professor of Insect Genetics for the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, for EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel. Learn more


Scientists Nominated for EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel
03/29/2018
The NCC, with the support of several other cotton organizations, submitted a letter regarding nominations to EPA for the agency’s Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel. Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Buprofezin (Courier)
03/16/2018
On March 15, 2018, the NCC submitted comments to EPA on the agency's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of buprofezin (Courier). Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Bifenthrin (Brigade)
03/16/2018
On March 15, 2018, the NCC submitted comments to EPA on the agency's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of bifenthrin (Brigade). Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Emamectin Benzoate (Denim insecticide)
03/16/2018
On March 15, 2018, the NCC submitted comments to EPA on the agency's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of emamectin benzoate (Denim insecticide). Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Pyriproxyfen (Knack)
03/16/2018
On March 15, 2018, the NCC submitted comments to EPA on the agency's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of pyriproxyfen (Knack). Learn more


NCC Submits Comments on Abamectin (Agri-Mek)
03/16/2018
On March 15, 2018, the NCC submitted comments to EPA on the agency's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of abamectin (Agri-Mek). Learn more


Producers Can Apply For CGCS at FSA Offices
03/13/2018
Although cotton producers can expect to begin receiving their prefilled applications for the new Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) program , they also now have the option of completing that application at their local FSA office. Learn more


Letter Conveys Pesticides Registration Concerns
03/09/2018
The NCC joined more than 30 other organizations on a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act reform letter to House Agriculture Committee members. Learn more


Letter Urges Port Workers' Contract Extension
03/08/2018
A group of more than 115 associations representing shippers and logistics providers, including the NCC, are calling on the International Longshoremen’s Association and employers to resume negotiations on a contract extension. The talks broke off in December over automation. Learn more


Commodity Transport Comments Submitted
02/22/2018
The NCC and the National Cotton Ginners’ Association (NCGA) filed comments with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to help clarify future guidance on how agricultural commodities are treated under the Federal Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rules. Learn more


Cyfluthrins Comments Submitted
02/16/2018
The NCC submitted comments to EPA on their draft human health and ecological risk assessment for cyfluthrins (baythroid). Learn more


2,4-D Comments Submitted
02/16/2018
The NCC submitted comments to EPA on their draft human health and ecological risk assessment for 2,4-D. Learn more


NCC Supports Deregulation of Low Gossypol Cottonseed
02/09/2018
The NCC submitted comments on Feb. 5, 2018, to the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service in support of the petition submitted by Texas A&M University seeking a nonregulated status for cottonseed genetically engineered to contain ultra-low gossypol levels. Learn more


Senators Urged to Fill Trade Positions Quickly
02/02/2018
The NCC was among 78 organizations and companies which signed onto a letter to Senators urging the timely nominations of: 1) Gregg Doud as the U.S. Trade Representative's Chief Agricultural Negotiator, 2) Dennis Shea as Deputy USTR (Geneva) and 3) C. J. Mahoney as Deputy USTR (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere). Learn more


NCC Signs NPDES Letter to Congress
01/25/2018
The NCC joined more than 170 co-signers on a January 23, 2018, letter to House Agriculture Committee leadership urging support for inclusion of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System legislative fix in the 2018 farm bill. Learn more