May 22, 2025
Contact:
Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The U.S. cotton industry is disappointed with the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s report. Over the decades, the Environmental Protection Agency has subjected pesticides to rigorous review and eliminated those that were deemed unsafe. Our current products have been tested and re-tested to protect the farmer, the environment, and the consumer.
“Cotton producers have made significant strides in conscientious pesticide usage,” said cotton producer and NCC Chairman, Patrick Johnson. “Crop protection tools such as glyphosate are vital for the continued sustainability of family farms here in the U.S.”
Regarding the report’s comments on microplastics, Johnson added “Cotton growers produce a natural fiber that is a healthy alternative to synthetic microfibers such as polyester. It is unfortunate that the Commission focused more on products that are known to be safe rather than on hazards such as microplastics, shed from synthetic clothing, that our children breathe. We urge U.S. agencies to continue to allow sound science to guide future policy decisions, and America’s cotton industry needs a seat at the table in this effort going forward.”