USDA Announces Sign-Up Period for Cotton Research and Promotion Program

Date
June 24, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scheduled a sign-up period for the Cotton Research Promotion Program for August 3, 2015, through August 14, 2015, to provide eligible cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton-containing products an opportunity to request a referendum on whether to continue the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.

USDA issued a decision that a referendum was unnecessary in the May 29, 2013, Federal Register. However, the 1966 Cotton Research and Promotion Act also provides an opportunity for producers and importers to request a referendum through a sign-up period.

The sign-up period will be open to all eligible producers and importers. No action is necessary if a referendum is not desired. Eligible cotton producers can sign-up to request a continuance referendum in person at their local county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. 

Producers also may request a sign-up form online or via the mail from their local FSA office

Producers can return their forms to their FSA office or by mailing them to:

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service
Cotton and Tobacco Program, Attention: Cotton Sign-Up
P.O. Box 23181
Washington, DC 20077-8249

Eligible importers can sign-up to request a continuance referendum through the AMS Web site listed above, or they can request a sign-up form by contacting CottonRP@ams.usda.gov or (540) 361-2726. 

Importer forms can be returned to:

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service
Cotton and Tobacco Program, Attention: Cotton Sign-Up
P.O. Box 23181
Washington, DC 20077-8249

An announcement with more details about the sign-up period was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2015.   https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/06/24/2015-15423/cotton-research-and-promotion-program-procedures-for-conduct-of-sign-up-period