Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus founder and chair Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) together with her colleagues penned a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, which recognised the growth of apparel production outside of the US and a critical need to reshore US production to ensure greater sustainability.

The USDA, they noted “plays an important role in supporting these efforts and revitalizing the sustainable fibres industry in the US.”

Supporting the production and processing of plant-based fibre crops, such as cotton, hemp, and flax, and animal-based fibres such as wool, alpaca, and leather, is key to this effort.

“These materials may have a lower environmental footprint compared to synthetic fibres, which are largely derived from fossil fuels, and may also be easier to recycle and reuse,” the lawmakers wrote. “These fibres can also be grown and raised in ways that sequester carbon and provide additional environmental co-benefits. […] As global fibre production continues to increase, we must consider the impacts on the environment and enhance domestic production of sustainable fibres.”

The coalition pointed out that according to the Textile Materials Market Report, in 2022, synthetic fibres made up approximately 65% of global fibre production with polyester being the most widely used fibre.

"Sustainable fibre production and processing is relevant to multiple USDA mission areas, including farm production and conservation, facilitating domestic and international marketing of US agricultural products, supporting opportunity and economic security for people and communities in rural America, and providing our farmers and ranchers with opportunities to compete in the global marketplace.”