Stronger Risk Management Sought in '12 Farm Law
The NCC looks forward to working with the House Agriculture Committee on development of a '12 farm bill that effectively meets US cotton producers’ risk management needs.

DCP, ACRE Signup Deadline Near
USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson reminds producers that enrollment for the ’12 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program ends on June 12, ’12.

NCC Statement on Trade Preferences, Contract Defaults
The NCC has consistently pursued a yarn forward rule of origin for textile and apparel products with a goal of stemming the losses in the U.S. cotton spinning industry.

Congressional Members Urge Strong Textile Rules in the TPP Agreement
The Textile and Apparel Alliance for the TPP (TAAT) expressed its deep appreciation to the 76 U.S. Representatives, led by Reps. Gowdy (R-SC) and Kissell (D-NC), who sent a letter on May 2 to US Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk stressing the need for job-creating textile rules in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

(Update) See Updated Summary and Side-by-Side Comparison of Farm Bill
The NCC has updated both its summary and its side-by-side comparison of the main provisions of the 2012 farm bill that was approved on April 26 by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee. (members only)

Senate Agriculture Committee Makes Initial Step in Farm Bill Process
The NCC extended its appreciation to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee and Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) for producing a farm bill that includes provisions supported by the cotton industry.

USDA Prospective Plantings
USDA’s March Prospective Plantings Report indicates US producers intend to plant 13.2 million acres of cotton in '12/13, down 10.7% from the previous year. Upland area is projected to be 12.9 million acres, down 10.7% from '11/12 while extra long staple area is projected at 270,000 acres, an 11.9% decrease.

SPCC Deadline for Farms Extended 18 Months
The EPA announced its plans to extend the deadline by which owners or operators of a farm must prepare or amend and implement a SPCC Plan from November 10, '11 to May 10, '13. The additional 18 months allows time for farms to come in compliance with this regulation. Spring and summer flood events, drought and fires, and the lack of available qualified Professional Engineers in some areas prompted this extension. Owners or operators of facilities excluded from this extension may submit a written request for additional time to amend or prepare a SPCC Plan.