The NCC urged additional CARES Act funding be authorized for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. What recent steps has the NCC taken? ■ One of the more important actions in the past two months was NCC’s coordination with Congressional allies to include important agricultural, small business and tax relief measures in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ... Read More »
With the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol’s launch underway this summer, the National Cotton Council was very pleased to learn that the industry’s sustainability initiative is now included in the Textile Exchange’s list of preferred fibers/materials. Why is this inclusion significant? ■ The Trust Protocol, which has a goal of confirming and increasing awareness that U.S. cotton producers are farming responsibly, ... Read More »
The National Cotton Council is taking every available opportunity to ensure our members get assistance and resources for help in navigating the COVID-19 negatively altered business landscape. How has the U.S. cotton industry been affected? ■ The April U.S. Department of Agriculture supply/demand estimates indicate world cotton consumption was down 7.6 million bales (6.4%) from the March report. The report ... Read More »
The National Cotton Council continues to engage with the Administration regarding U.S.-China trade relations, which have had significant effects on the cotton market since mid-2018. How has the dispute affected prices, exports? ■ Cotton prices are about 33% lower since the imposition of the 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. cotton in the U.S.-China trade dispute. In mid-2018, producers had the ... Read More »
Beginning in April, the National Cotton Council will be encouraging this nation’s cotton producers to enroll in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Why is full participation important? More than 200 U.S. cotton producers enrolled in the NCC’s Trust Protocol pilot phase, but greater involvement is necessary to assure the global textile supply chain — including consumers — that U.S. cotton ... Read More »
During 2019, the National Cotton Council worked closely with the Administration and Congress to advance passage of a meaningful disaster recovery package. What were some major NCC actions? ■ The NCC strongly advocated for legislation to provide relief and recovery assistance for producers affected by wildfires, Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and other natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. Letters of ... Read More »
A National Cotton Council priority has been and continues to be shoring up cotton producers’ income protection and maintaining viable risk management programs. What were major efforts in this arena? ■ During the past four years, the NCC worked diligently with Congress and the Administration to return Upland cotton as a covered commodity in Title I of farm law and ... Read More »
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