Wool Pack Legislation Introduced

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) commended U.S. Representative Devin Nunes (Calif.) for his leadership in introducing H.R. 4087, which provides temporary tariff reduction for nylon wool packs used on farms and ranches across the nation for packing and shipping wool. Co-sponsors of the bill to date are Reps. Mike Conaway (Texas) and Denny Rehberg (Mont.)

The legislation extends the current suspension and saves sheep producers tens of thousands of dollars in production costs. With costs increasing in nearly every aspect of agriculture, each opportunity to reduce expenses at the farm and ranch level is important. The industry imports more than 50,000 wool packs each year as they are not produced in the United States. The 7 percent ad valorem tariff represents one expense that can be address to help wool growers.

"The industry is appreciative of Nunes' efforts to introduce this legislation and extend this cost savings opportunity for our producers," commented Peter Orwick, executive director of ASI. "U.S. Senator John Barrasso (Wyo.) introduced the legislation for the industry in the U.S. Senate."