Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) at a Meetig on Maine Vet Homelessness at Hanaford Hall, USM, Portland, Several Years Ago.

Earlier this week Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is a longtime organic farmer and leader in Congress for sustainable agriculture and reducing pollution from fast fashion, is calling on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen federal support for American-rown and American-made natural fibers.    In a letter to USDA Secretary Brooks Rollins, Pingree urged the Department to build on the recently announced “Great American Cotton Plan” by expanding its focus to include other plant and animal-based fibers including hemp, flax, wool, alpaca, and leather.  Pingree also requested information on existing USDA programs, authorities, and data collection efforts that could support domestic natural fiber production and processing.

“As global trends have impacted the economics of producing textiles and apparel outside the US, there is a critical need to restore production of American-made textiles and to ensure more sustainable textile production,” Pingree wrote.  “The United States Department of Agiculture plays an important role in supporting these efforts and revitalizing the sustainable fibers industry in the US.  As global fiber production continues to increase, it is critical to support the production and processing of addiional plant-based fiber crops, such as hemp and flax and animal-based fibers such as wool, alpaca, and eather, as the USDA considers reshoring fiber production,” Pingree stated.