The Risk Management Agency (RMA) has revised the Cotton Crop Provisions (17-0021) and Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Crop Provisions (17-0022) for the 2017 and succeeding crop years.

The provisions in sections 9 and 10 regarding cotton stalk inspections were revised in a Final Rule published on December 29, 2015. The previous provisions required that, in the event of damage or loss, the insured must leave cotton stalks intact for the insurance company’s inspection. The revised provisions allow insurance companies discretion to require that insureds leave the cotton stalks intact for inspection. In addition, the revised provisions allow the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to include specific circumstances in the Special Provisions that require insureds to leave cotton stalks intact and require the insurance company to conduct a cotton stalk inspection.

Please refer to the Cotton Crop Provisions and ELS Cotton Crop Provisions for more information.

The following materials will be available by close of business today and may be accessed on the RMA website at http://www.rma.usda.gov/policies/2017policy.html.

• Cotton Crop Provisions
• ELS Cotton Crop Provisions 

Interested producers should contact a crop insurance agent for further information. A list of agents can be found on the RMA website at: www.rma.usda.gov/.

DISPOSAL DATE:
December 31, 2016