NCC thanks Sen Frist for supporting cotton farmers
23 Aug '05
3 min read
The National Cotton Council commended Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) for taking the time to discuss cotton's situation and outlook with West Tennessee farmers.
Senator Frist spoke to local farmers and answered their questions during a NCC-sponsored meeting on August 22 at the Willie German Equipment Company in Brownsville. The meeting was among a series of stops in West Tennessee communities by Senator Frist, who in addition to his duties as Majority Leader, serves on the Finance, Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; and Rules & Administration committees.
NCC President/CEO Mark Lange expressed appreciation for Senator Frist's recognition of cotton and agriculture's significance to Tennessee's economy. The annual farm-gate value of Tennessee's cotton production alone is about $220 million. When Tennessee cotton's processing, distribution and utilization chain is included, the crop supports almost 15,000 good-paying jobs and generates more than $3 billion in annual business revenue.
Lange said the Senator could continue his long-standing support for Tennessee's farmers by conveying to his Congressional colleagues the importance of: 1) maintaining the current farm law through its scheduled 2007 expiration and 2) preserving a position of strength as the U.S. participates in WTO Doha Round trade negotiations.
“It is vital for the U.S. to maintain a stable and predictable agriculture policy that addresses commodity, nutrition, conservation, risk management and research programs in a balanced manner like the current law,” Lange said. “Mid-term changes to the current farm law, especially further limiting access to the financial safety net when prices are low, are not in the best interest of the rural economy -- an engine for our national economy.
marketing@alchempro.com
