Rep. Kind Reacts to New Study Showing Negative Impact of Cotton Subsidies

Statement

A recently released study from the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development warns that U.S. cotton subsidies likely still violate World Trade Organization commitments.

"Not that long ago in an outrageous waste of taxpayer dollars, the U.S. was ordered to pay Brazilian cotton farmers over $300 million because of our nation's own cotton subsidies. It is clear we have not learned our lesson. We need to get our house in order and reform our subsidies programs in their entirety. Sending a huge payoff to Brazil was clearly not the answer," concluded Rep. Kind. "If my old boss, the late Senator Bill Proxmire, were still giving out his famous Golden Fleece Awards our policy on cotton subsides would be a guaranteed winner."

Rep. Kind was a leading advocate for eliminating wasteful payments to Brazilian cotton farmers, and will continue his efforts to protect American taxpayers from funding wasteful subsidy programs, create a more equitable safety net for farmers, reform outdated agriculture policies, and maintain protections for our sensitive lands and waters.

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