NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL for NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL

Agriculture AGR

Worked with Congress to build support for and pass the USMCA agreement. Supported EPAs changes to the Worker Protection Standards to address the AEZ. Worked to advance the CFTC reauthorization bill. Contacted several specific offices to request cosigning on a Biogenic C02 letter. Worked with leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees and full committees on Agriculture Appropriations bill for FY20. Worked with House and Senate on changes and additions to the WHIP+ disaster assistance program. Submitted comments to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service supporting the deregulation of MON 88702 - a cotton plant genetically engineered for resistance to certain insects, primarily Lygus spp. Worked with Administration on a Phase 1 China trade deal. Submitted comments to EPA regarding EPAs Draft Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments for Paraquat Dichloride. Cosigned a letter in support of the USMCA. Sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russell Vought urging them not to propose cuts to crop insurance in the upcoming FY21 Presidents budget. Sent a letter to the Congressional Western Caucus supporting a draft package of 18 separate bills modernizing the Endangered Species Act. Joined other agricultural organizations on a letter to Reps. Panetta and Walorski in support for the Preserving Family Farms Act of 2019. Continued meetings with USDA officials regarding the U.S. Pima Competitiveness Payment program. Met with USDA officials regarding charges associated with the auction of forfeited cotton. Conveyed to Administration officials the importance of the 2nd tranche of MFP payments. Met with Congressional offices on textile trade policies and Generalized System of preference proposals. Worked with Congress and Administration on H-2A issues impacting eligible agricultural activities. Worked with USDA on cotton marketing loan processes and Cotton Storage Agreement requirements. Met with EPA on Pink Bollworm Refuges, pollinators exposure routes and registration review of pesticides. Continued meetings with USDA officials regarding the U.S. Pima Competitiveness Payment program, Worked with USDA on phyto issues for the export of U.S. cotton to Bangladesh and Pakistan. Worked with FDA to clarify that all gins are exempt from FSMA Animal Food Rules. Worked with Congress and the Administration in developing a permanent solution to allow the use of H-2A employees to transport cotton modules.

Contacted: Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Risk Management Agency; Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; Surface Transportation Board (STB); State, Dept of (DOS); Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration