NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL

Agriculture

Filed comments with USDA regarding the agencys rulemaking on implementation of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022. Joined a letter to Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) thanking them for sponsoing legislation to require automakers to maintain AM radio capability in new vehicles. Joined a letter to the International Trade Commission (ITC), which works in tandem with Commerce on determining duties for fertilizer tariffs. As part of the Pesticide Policy Coalition, filed comments to the Environmental Protection Agency for the Draft 2026 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for Point Source Discharges from the Application of Pesticides (Draft 2026 PGP). Joined 59 other organizations in comments to the USDA on proposed exemptions for genetic modifications, including gene editing. Joined other agriculture organizations on a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young urging them to avoid any cuts to the federal crop insurance program. Joined a letter to the Congressional leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee supporting the position that general permits for pesticide discharges offer no additional protections since pesticides are heavily studied for their effects in water by the Office of Pesticide Products at EPA before they are ever labeled for use. Joined an agricultural stakeholder to the House Ways & Means Committee urging passage of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. Joined a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking them to include Section 461 in the final conferenced appropriations bill to reaffirm EPA as the primary authority on pesticide decisions in order to lessen the negative impacts from a patchwork of state and local regulations that seek to usurp federal law. Joined a letter as a member of the Waters Advocacy Coalition to the House T&I Committee supporting three bills (H.R. 7023, 7026, & 7021). Joined organizations in endorsing a letter led by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and co-signed by nine other senators to congressional appropriators opposing the Department of Labors (DOL) Average Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) applying to temporary workers hired through the H-2A visa program. Submitted comments as a follow-up to a January 31 House Budget Committee hearing examining the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the agency tasked with determining the potential cost of federal legislation. Filed comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding an activist petition to more heavily regulate treated seeds. Activist petitions have been seeking heavier regulations for the pesticides that coat the seeds as well as the seeds themselves. Joined a letter to President Biden supporting Carl Bentzels renomination to serve another term at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Joined comments submitted by the Pesticide Policy Coalition (PPC) on EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). Submitted comments on EPAs notice of Scientific Integrity policy document. Joined the American Cotton Shippers Association and numerous other agriculture organizations on a letter urging swift confirmation of Patrick Fuchs to serve another term on the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Joined the American Cotton Shippers Association and other organizations on a letter commending the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) for its efforts to facilitate digital interconnectivity and seamless data communication that anyone who touches the industry can leverage. Joined a letter expressing support for legislation being offered by Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO) opposing the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed overtime rule. Joined comments from the NAAQS Regulatory Review & Rulemaking Coalition (NR3) to the EPA in support of supported a proposal to update and retroactively calibrate air monitors and their data which have been shown to be consistently off by 20% in their measurements of fine particulate matter. Joined a letter urging swift Senate passage of legislation to delay implementation of the Corporate Transparency Acts (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements, which were developed to target illicit shell corporations. Joined a letter to EPA urging swift action on a label for dicamba products for the 2025 crop. Meetings with House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff regarding ongoing development of the 2024 Farm Bill. Submitted comments to EPA on neonics and systemic insecticides. As part of the Growing Matters Coalition, joined comments on neonics and systemic inseciticides. Submitted comments to EPA on their Rodenticde Strategy. Joined with the Pesticide Policy Coalition is submitting comments on the Rodenticide Strategy. Sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on the vacatur of the 2024 dicamba label. Joined an extension request from the Pesticide Policy Coalition for the comment period on the draft Scientific Integrity policy. As a member of the Waters Advocacy Coalition, joined a letter to the EPA and the Corps of Engineers on their implementation of Waters of the U.S. Discussions with USDA RMA regarding the Tropical Storm Endorsement. Discussions with USDA RMA regarding ELS crop insurance provisions.