Latest List of Issues

2023

Air Quality Comments Submitted
12/22/2023
The NCC, the NCGA, the Texas Cotton Ginners Association and other stakeholders filed comments on EPA’s proposed rule on the “Guideline on Air Quality Models:  Enhancements to the AERMOD Dispersion Modeling System.” Learn more


Southern Border Rail Crossings Reopening Urged
12/22/2023
The NCC joined nearly 50 agriculture organizations on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to immediately reopen the El Paso and Eagle Pass rail crossings on the U.S.-Mexico border. Learn more


Arsenic Comments Filed
12/22/2023
The NCC filed industry comments and signed onto two coalitions’ comments regarding the Draft Integrated Risk Information System Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic. Learn more


Push For Lower Moroccan Fertilizer Tariffs Continues
12/14/2023
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) led a letter to U.S. International Trade Commission Chairman David Johnson voicing concern that producers and agricultural retailers have not been granted sufficient opportunity to advocate for affordable fertilizers before the Commission. Learn more


NCC, Others Submit WOTUS Comments
12/08/2023
The Waters Advocacy Coalition, which includes the NCC, sent comments to EPA on the agency’s interim draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams. Learn more


More Time Sought For Arsenic Review
12/08/2023
After being refused a comment period extension to review EPA's risk assessment for inorganic arsenic, the NCC joined 10 other groups on a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan asking him to reconsider the extension request. Learn more


NCC Continues Fight For Lower Moroccan Fertilizer Tariffs
12/08/2023
The NCC joined more than 50 other agriculture organizations on a letter to U.S International Trade Commission Chairman David S. Johnson aimed at securing lower tariffs on Moroccan fertilizer imports. Learn more


Cotton Belt Members' Letter Seeks GAO Review
12/08/2023
A letter led by Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and cosigned by Cotton Belt Sens. Marshall, John Boozman (R-AR), James Lankford (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), criticizes USDA for implementing ERP 2022 contrary to Congressional intent and calls for a Government Accountability Office review. Learn more


Congressional Letter Opposes ERP 2022
12/08/2023
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) led a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack along with 63 House and Senate cosigners opposing USDA’s Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022. Learn more


NCC Endorses Mersinger Nomination
12/01/2023
The NCC joined onto a letter with 15 other agricultural organizations endorsing Summer Mersinger for a second term as CFTC commissioner. Learn more


Robust Trade Agenda Urged
12/01/2023
The NCC joined onto a a letter with 34 other agriculture groups urging the Biden Administration to establish a “robust” trade agenda, strengthen enforcement of existing trade agreements, and advance efforts to diversify the supply chain. Learn more


NCC Leads Letter Criticizing Disaster Relief Program
11/17/2023
The NCC led a letter with nearly 140 organizations to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack criticizing USDA’s Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022 and urging USDA to alter the program “in a manner that more fully meets the needs of all producers.” Learn more


Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements Delay Urged
11/17/2023
The NCC joined dozens of organizations on a letter to congressional leaders asking for a one-year implementation delay of the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting requirements. Learn more


EPA Extends Treated Seeds Comment Period
11/09/2023
EPA responded to requests by the NCC and others to extend the comment period for the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for treated seed and treated paint products. Learn more


Ambitious WTO Agriculture Negotiations Urged
11/09/2023
The NCC joined onto a letter to USTR Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the U.S. government to pursue an ambitious negotiating agenda on agriculture issues in the lead up to the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference. Learn more


Ag Groups Convey Concerns Regarding EPA's Herbicide Strategy
10/26/2023
Stakeholders including an ad hoc group of agricultural organizations submitted comments to EPA that pointed out concerns with the agency's herbicide strategy. Learn more


USDA Comments on EPA's Herbicide Strategy
10/26/2023
Stakeholders including USDA filed comments with EPA that pointed out concerns with the agency's herbicide strategy. Learn more


PPC Files Comments on EPA's Herbicide Strategy
10/26/2023
Stakeholders including the Pesticide Policy Coalition filed comments to EPA that pointed out concerns with the agency's herbicide strategy. Learn more


NCC Files Comments on Herbicide Strategy
10/20/2023
The NCC filed comments with EPA on the agency’s draft herbicide strategy to protect threatened and endangered Species.<br /> Learn more


More Moroccan Fertilizer Imports Sought
10/20/2023
The NCC joined 62 national and state organizations onto a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the Department to reconsider the duty rate calculation on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. Learn more


Anti-Checkoff Amendment Defeated
09/29/2023
The House overwhelmingly rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) to defund all USDA checkoff programs.<br /> Learn more


Checkoff Amendment Opposed
09/22/2023
The NCC joined numerous other agricultural associations on a letter regarding the FY24 Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Rural Development appropriations bill - specifically, amendment #1097 as submitted by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).<br /> Learn more


EPA Extends Comment Period for Herbicide Strategy
09/08/2023
EPA announced a 30-day extension to the comment period for the "Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework to Reduce Exposure of Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species and Designated Critical Habitats from the Use of Conventional Agricultural Herbicides. Herbicide Strategy Framework Document".<br /> Learn more


Greenhouse Gas Emissions Comments Filed
08/18/2023
The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance, of which the NCC is a member, submitted comments on USDA’s draft framework for the measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more


NCC Conveys Vulnerable Species Pilot Concerns
08/11/2023
The NCC also filed separate comments with EPA noting concerns with the agency's vulnerable species pilot program. Learn more


Groups File Endangered Species Pilot Project Comments
08/11/2023
The NCC was among 206 stakeholders who filed comments with EPA regarding its vulnerable species pilot program. Learn more


NCC Supports Key Surface Transportation Board Members
08/04/2023
The NCC joined 75 other organizations in a letter to President Biden supporting the renomination of Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman and Member Patrick Fuchs. Learn more


WOTUS Recommendations Sent To EPA & COE
07/27/2023
The Waters Advocacy Coalition, to which the NCC belongs, sent a list of recommendations to EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) regarding a WOTUS rule. Learn more


NCC Opposing Amendment Calling for Ending Checkoff Programs
07/27/2023
In a letter to House Rules Committee leadership, the NCC and other groups conveyed their opposition to multiple agricultural appropriations amendments including one that would eliminate all funding for checkoff programs. Learn more


NCC Files Enlist/Enlist Duo Comments
07/24/2023
The NCC filed comments on the EPA's “Draft Endangered Species Act Biological Opinion for Enlist Herbicide Products."<br /> Learn more


Stakeholders Blast EPA's New PIPs Rule
07/13/2023
In a letter to House and Senate agriculture committee leaders, stakeholders expressed their concern with a rule recently finalized by EPA regarding plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) derived from gene editing. Learn more


Pima Trust Fund Support Conveyed
06/15/2023
A letter from 16 Representatives was sent to House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) and Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA) urging continued support in the 2023 farm bill for the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund. Learn more


NCC Urges Full CFTC Funding
06/08/2023
The NCC and the American Cotton Shippers Association joined 10 other agriculture organizations on a letter to Senate appropriators urging $411 million in FY24 funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Learn more


USDA-OPMP Funding Urged
05/25/2023
The NCC joined 41 other groups on a letter to the House and Senate appropriations committees requesting that Congress provide USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy (OPMP) $3.4 million for FY24 in the agriculture appropriations legislation. Learn more


Coalition Letter Conveys CDL Apprenticeship Support
05/25/2023
The DRIVE Safe Coalition, of the which the NCC is a member, asked House Transportation Committee leaders to create an apprenticeship program for commercial drivers under the age of 21.  Learn more


Methomyl Comments Submitted
05/19/2023
The NCC filed comments with EPA on the agency’s Biological Opinion (BiOp) for methomyl which relates to the insecticide’s potential impact on endangered species. Learn more


CAFTA-DR Textile Rules Preservation Urged
05/19/2023
Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) led a bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging her to stringently maintain the current textile rules of origin provisions in CAFTA-DR. Learn more


NCC Seeking Clearer Rail Demurrage Oversight
05/04/2023
The NCC joined 74 other organizations on a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee opposing unclear or unreasonable rail storage charges that are being assessed on freight in transit to international ocean transportation.<br /> Learn more


NCC Supports Rail Safety Legislation
05/04/2023
The NCC joined nearly 50 other state and national groups on a letter to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee urging passage of bipartisan, targeted rail safety legislation.<br /> Learn more


NCC Joins Letter Opposing OFF Act
04/27/2023
The NCC joined 17 other trade associations onto a letter to the House and Senate agriculture committees opposing the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, which would place new restrictions on checkoff programs, including the Cotton Board. Learn more


NCC Joins Organophosphate Letter to EPA
04/21/2023
Citing a flawed process that threatens transparency, the NCC joined 16 other stakeholders on a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan regarding revised draft occupational and non-occupational risk assessments for four pesticidal active ingredients – diazinon, ethoprop, tribufos, and phosmet. Learn more


NCC Comments on Conservation Practices
04/13/2023
The NCC joined other stakeholders in comments on the Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Learn more


Conservation Technical Assistance Requested
04/13/2023
The NCC joined more than 50 organizations on a letter to congressional appropriators requesting at least $1.2 billion for USDA’s conservation operations in FY24. Learn more


NCC Joins Estate Tax Repeal Letter
03/31/2023
The NCC joined onto a letter with dozens of associations thanking Senator John Thune (R-SD) for introducing a bill to permanently repeal the estate tax. Learn more


Letter Urges Port Labor Negotiations Progress
03/31/2023
The NCC joined onto a letter with 238 national, state, and local trade associations urging President Biden to work to resolve ongoing labor negotiations at the West Coast ports.<br /> Learn more


NCC Shares FY24 Appropriations Priorities
03/31/2023
The NCC sent identical letters to House and Senate appropriators outlining priorities for FY24. Learn more


Particulate Matter Standards Comments Submitted
03/29/2023
The NCC joined 18 other stakeholders on comments to EPA regarding the “Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter” from the NAAQS Regulatory Review & Rulemaking Coalition. Learn more


NCC Comments on Sulfoxaflor
03/29/2023
The NCC sent comments to EPA in support of sulfoxaflor's registration. Learn more


NCC Files Comments on Norflurazon
03/24/2023
The NCC responded to EPA’s Proposed Interim Decision for the registration of norflurazon – a herbicide used to manage certain grasses and some broadleaf weed species in most cotton producing states. Learn more


WOTUS Preliminary Injunction Issued
03/23/2023
The new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule went into effect almost nationwide but Judge Jeremy Brown of the Southern District Court of Texas handed down a preliminary injunction for the states of Texas and Idaho. Learn more


ERP Phase 2/PARP Implementation Concerns Conveyed
03/17/2023
NCC's comments outlined concerns to USDA regarding implementation of Emergency Relief Program Phase 2 and the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program. Learn more


NCC Joins Letter Opposing Booker Bill
03/17/2023
The NCC joined onto a letter to the House and Senate opposing the Booker Bill (S. 269), which would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Learn more


Letter Requests Sufficient Farm Bill Resources
03/14/2023
The NCC joined 400 organizations on a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate budget and agriculture committees urging them to build a new 2024 federal budget providing sufficient resources for the next farm bill. Learn more


NCC Joins Letter to Appropriators
03/10/2023
The NCC joined a letter with 65 other cosigners to the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees requesting adequate funding for EPA and Fish and Wildlife Service for help in registering pesticides.<br /> Learn more


NCC Supports WOTUS Review
03/02/2023
The joined 34 other organizations on a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure urging them to support Congressional Review Act resolutions of disapproval of the WOTUS rule from the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA. Learn more


PPC Files ESA Workplan Comments
02/16/2023
The Pesticide Policy Coalition (PPC) filed submits comments with EPA regarding the agency's November 2022 ESA Work Plan Update: Nontarget Species Mitigation for Registration Review and other FIFRA Actions. Learn more


Endangered Species Act Workplan Comments Submitted
02/16/2023
The NCC submitted comments to EPA regarding the agency's “ESA Workplan Update: Nontarget Species Mitigation for Registration Review and Other FIFRA Actions.” Learn more


Biotech Regulatory Comments Submitted
02/08/2023
The NCC joined numerous other stakeholders to comment on the Request for Information on inefficiencies in the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology. Learn more


Letters Cite Crop Insurance Programs’ Value
02/03/2023
The NCC, along with more than 50 other agricultural associations, sent a letter to key leaders in the House, Senate and the Administration, urging them to protect crop insurance programs from any cuts during this year’s appropriations process. Learn more


Letter Seeks Extended Comment Period
01/20/2023
The NCC joined 16 ag stakeholders on a letter to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requesting that it extend the comment period for NRCS' Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices. Learn more


EPA Addendum to Legal Authority Document
01/13/2023
EPA released an addendum to a document released in May 2022 that, taken together, makes the agency’s case for an expanded legal authority to protect underserved communities that have environmental justice concerns. Learn more


EPA Promotes Expanded Legal Authority
01/13/2023
This EPA document, released in May 2022, makes the agency’s case for an expanded legal authority to protect underserved communities that have environmental justice concerns. Learn more


NCC Reviewing Latest WOTUS Rule
01/06/2023
The NCC prepared a brief summary of EPA's prepublication version of its new “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. Learn more