March 25, 2020
Contact:
Marjory Walker
or
T. Cotton Nelson
(901) 274-9030
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The U.S. cotton industry commends Congress and the Administration for reaching agreement today on a broad-based economic relief/stimulus package for individuals and businesses, including the agriculture sector.
National Cotton Council (NCC) Chairman Kent Fountain, a Georgia cotton ginner, said it was of utmost importance that the bill includes restored funding authority for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and dedicated funding for producers in response to the coronavirus so USDA can develop relief measures for all of agriculture in response to the economic losses and business disruption caused by COVID-19.
“We believe this is a good first step towards addressing the needs of the agricultural economy, but more funding authority will likely be needed once there is a better assessment of the full impacts of the current crisis,” Chairman Fountain added.
The NCC is assessing economic impacts and losses across the U.S. cotton industry and will work with USDA and Congressional leaders on recommended policy options to respond to these urgent needs being felt across the industry from producer to textile manufacturer. These overarching needs are outlined in a letter sent today from Chairman Fountain to USDA Secretary Perdue and Members of Congress.
The NCC joined with other agricultural organizations on letters recently sent to President Trump and Congressional leaders saying it was critical that any fiscal and economic response to help businesses survive the crisis match the scale and intensity of the steps being taken to end the pandemic. The letters emphasized that individuals and family-owned companies operate on their cash flow, and that cash flow has been severely disrupted – their costs are up and their revenue flows are down, if not entirely shut off.
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NCC: Vilsack Confirmation Positive for Agriculture The National Cotton Council welcomed the Senate’s confirmation today of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture and congratulated him on serving in this role for a second time following his previous tenure from 2009 to 2017. Statement Regarding Seed Coat Fragments in Cotton Produced in the Southeast Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has directed the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service to collaborate with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to raise awareness and further examine the significant increase in seed coat fragments in cotton produced in the southeast region. NCC Welcomes Vilsack and Tai Nominations The NCC looks forward to working again with U.S. Agriculture Secretary appointee Tom Vilsack on matters ranging from sustainable, climate smart agriculture to international trade opportunities and the farm safety net.
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