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Challenges and Opportunities

Washington Update presented to 2004 Beltwide Cotton Production Conference Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Solutions. Challenges and Opportunities. Farm Bill-- defense Trade Policy --legislate, negotiate and enforce effective trade policy

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Challenges and Opportunities

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  1. Washington Updatepresented to2004 Beltwide Cotton Production ConferenceToday’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Solutions

  2. Challenges and Opportunities • Farm Bill--defense • Trade Policy--legislate, negotiate and enforce effective trade policy • Appropriations-- fund key programs, which build demand and enhance competitiveness • Environment--biotech and conventional • Conservation-- programs that work • Politics--stay involved & prepare for change

  3. Unfinished FY04 Omnibus Appropriations Energy Bill New Budget resolution Appropriations Other ETI repeal Transportation Immigration Congress returns Jan. 20

  4. Farm Bill/Cotton Program Defense“No legislative amendments are being proposed which would enhance the cotton program!” • Domestic challenges • Budget based • Philosophically based • Solutions • Build coalitions • Identify and educate decision makers • Respond to press attacks when it’s effective

  5. Farm Bill/Cotton Program Defense“No one is proposing trade agreements provisions that strengthen the US cotton program!” • International challenges • Brazil’s WTO complaint • WTO Doha round • African initiative • Solutions • Support US government’s defense efforts • Challenge others to discuss all trade distorting practices

  6. Attacks Are Not P.R. Problems! P.R.-vs-Crisis Management

  7. Trade Policy Challenges • Negotiate beneficial trade agreements • Support responsible trade legislation • Enforce existing trade agreements • China textile safeguard • China market access • Promote market based exchange rates

  8. Appropriations Fund Public-Private Partnerships • Boll Weevil Eradication • Pink Bollworm Eradication • Aflatoxin control • Textile marker system • Export promotion

  9. Conservation and Environment • Conservation programs • CRP, WRP, and EQIP • Conservation Security Program (CSP) • Biotech products • Availability • Acceptance • Conventional products • Timely registrations and reasonable regulations

  10. Politics and ElectionsSupport Your Political Action Committee-CAC • House • Agriculture Committee leaders-Stenholm (TX) • Ways and Means Cmte Chair-Thomas (CA) • Ag Approps Sbcmte Chair-Bonilla (TX) • Redistricting and retirements • Senate • Agriculture Committee Chair-Cochran (MS) • Majority leader- Frist (TN) • 6 new cottonbelt Senators elected in 2002 • 6 cottonbelt Senators retiring at end of 2004

  11. NCC Needs Your Support • Resources to preserve cotton program- respond to domestic international challenges-assist domestic mills—maintain competitiveness • economic analysis • legal expertise • communications capabilities • political resources

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