NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL

Agriculture

Joined on a letter to members of the Surface Transportation Board requesting the Board implement two provisions that would help address pervasive challenges faced by rail shippers. Sent letters to the Senate in support of two nominees for key USDA positions - Robert Bonnie for Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation, and Jennifer Moffitt for Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Submitted two sets of comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to help it improve the effectiveness of scientific integrity policies at federal agencies. Joined other members of the Rail Customer Coalition on a letter to the Surface Transportation Board encouraging it to finalize reciprocal switching rules and to consider further steps that will at long last provide shippers with greater access to competitive rail service. Sent a letter to the House Agriculture Committee in advance of a bill markup offering the cotton industrys strong support for the measure extending WHIP+ for 2020 and 2021. The bill would authorize $8.5 billion in appropriations to cover the losses over the two years. Met with Congress on extending WHIP+ disaster assistance for 2020 and 2021. Submitted comments on USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services proposal to Exempt Plants with Additional Modifications Produced Using Genetic Engineering That are Otherwise Achievable by Conventional Breeding. Filed comments to EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlining strong reservations regarding the agencies attempt to erase the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) and rewrite federal water law. Cosigned multiple letters urging Congress not to make negative changes to the tax code as it begins the budget reconciliation process. Joined more than 70 agriculture associations on a letter to President Biden, USDA Secretary Vilsack, Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg, Federal Maritime Commission Chair Maffei, the Chair of White House Council of Economic Advisors, and the U.S. Attorney General requesting they take additional steps to relieve the crisis facing American exports. Met with USDA-NASS to urge continuation of crop reporting district estimates. Met with USDA and Congress to continue advocating for COVID economic assistance for cotton merchandisers. Met with Congress on CAFTA-DR rules of origin for textiles and importance of maintaining yarn-forward rule. Met with Congress and sent letters in support of Growing Climate Solutions Act legislation. Met with USDA-RMA to discuss cotton prevent plant provisions. Submitted comments to EPA opposing the inclusion of a crop rotation label restriction for MSMA use on cotton.