Cotton Loan Forfeiture Charges/Procedures for ELS Cotton

Based on recent discussions with USDA officials, there are important clarifications on the charges or fees a producer is responsible for when warehouse-stored Pima cotton is forfeited to USDA. In general, the calculations on cotton forfeiture charges are the same for both Pima and upland cotton. If Pima cotton is forfeited to USDA, the producer is only responsible for paying the difference in the Cotton Storage Agreement (CSA) storage rate for the warehouse and the USDA storage credit for the time the cotton is under loan, not the full storage costs for the time the cotton is under loan. For anytime the cotton is not under loan, the producer is responsible for paying the full warehouse storage rate.

More here.

More Advocacy Issues

ACSA Update: The Week Ahead

December 23^rd, 2024

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of December 30. Document here.

Ag Trade Groups Urge Action on Port Labor Dispute

December 20^th, 2024

Agricultural trade groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, have urged President Biden and President-elect Trump to address labor disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports. In letters sent yesterday, the group highlighted the urgency of a new agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance before the contract expires on […]

Port Strike Updates

December 13^th, 2024

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025. Late yesterday, President-elect Trump posted a statement, voicing his support for the ILA’s position on automation. Post here. The ILA posted the statement on its Facebook page. Statement here. The […]

Joint Coalition Letter to ILA & USMX

December 6^th, 2024

The American Cotton Shippers Association, along with over 260 local, state, and federal trade associations, signed onto a letter urging the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to resume contract negotiations. Letter here.

CBP Update Isotopic Testing Guidance

November 13^th, 2024

Last week, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) released updated guidance on isotopic testing, as the agency seeks to find more efficient mechanisms for determining the origin of cotton within U.S. textile imports. The document states “… CBP is enhancing its isotopic testing capabilities at three of its laboratories. As a result of these efforts, CBP […]

Briefing on Hurricane Helene

October 29^th, 2024

On October 28, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a briefing on the coordinated inter-agency response to the agricultural impact of Hurricane Helene. See below for takeaways, discussion points, and other details. More here.