USDA accepts claims resulting from cotton fabric tariffs

   The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service will start accepting claims from domestic manufacturers citing economic harm caused to them by tariffs on cotton fabric that are higher than tariffs on certain apparel articles made of cotton fabric.
   The claims may be filed to the agency through June 2, under the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund for calendar year 2014.
   The 2014 Farm Bill allocates $16 million in Commodity Credit Corp. funds for each year from 2014 through 2018.  Funds are to be distributed accordingly:

• 25 percent to one or more nationally recognized associations established for the promotion of pima cotton for use in textile and apparel goods.
• 25 percent to yarn spinners of pima cotton that produce ring spun cotton yarns in the United States.
• 50 percent to manufacturers that cut and sew cotton shirts in the United States and certify that they used imported cotton fabric in 2013.

   Applicants receiving funds under the trust must file affidavits, supporting documentation and claims for distribution electronically with the FAS Office of Trade Programs.