The United States, China and the European Union appear to be vying for popularity with the West African cotton producing countries by offering new forms of assistance and attention in the absence of a World Trade Organization Doha round agreement that would reduce cotton subsidies around the world. Read More...

As the world’s trade ministers prepare to gather in Geneva Dec. 15 to 17 for a trade ministerial meeting, WTO leaders have issued what they call “guidance” to the ministers. Read More...

With concern rising that Congress might write a farm bill quickly in the midst of deficit reduction negotiations, the National Farmers Union has released its policy ideas, following recent press releases from the National Corn Growers Association and the National Cotton Council. Read More...

The National Cotton Council is concerned that the Obama administration’s plans to reorganize U.S. trade agencies might undermine the effectiveness of the Agriculture Department’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. However, the Obama administration says it is not yet considering any specific proposals and will consult with stakeholders, including exporters, before making any decisions. Read More...

Senate Agriculture Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is seeking an extension of the stay the Supreme Court granted the Environmental Protection Agency in its decision in National Cotton Council v. EPA, while a bipartisan group of House members introduced a bill to resolve the issue. Read More...

SAN ANTONIO — With action on the farm bill not unexpected until 2012, trade negotiations in flux, cotton prices at record levels and the outcome of federal budget battles uncertain, the National Cotton Council has postponed any decisions about farm bill priorities and is focusing on trade issues in the short term. Read More...

SAN ANTONIO – U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 12.5 million acres of cotton this spring, up 14 percent from 2010, and less corn, soybeans, specialty crops and peanuts, according to the National Cotton Council’s 28th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey released at the council’s annual meeting here last weekend. Read More...