Fashion
US lawmakers launch Berry Amendment Caucus for military manufacturing
The caucus will focus on protecting and modernising the Berry Amendment, which mandates that the Department of Defense procure certain textiles, clothing and other mission-critical materials from domestic sources.
US lawmakers have launched the bipartisan Berry Amendment Caucus to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reinforce military supply chains.
It will focus on protecting and modernising the Berry Amendment, which mandates US sourcing of key military textiles and materials, drawing support from industry groups including NCTO and WPRC.
The caucus begins with double-digit membership and aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains while safeguarding US warfighters and supporting American industry. Congressman Pat Harrigan will serve as co-chair of the newly formed caucus.
“You cannot be the strongest military in the world while depending on foreign supply chains for mission-critical gear,” Harrigan said in a press release, emphasising that equipment defending the US should be made domestically. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Harrigan has prioritised rebuilding the defence industrial base and ensuring reliable, American-made military materials.
The caucus will act as a bipartisan forum to highlight domestic industrial capacity in sectors such as textiles, uniforms, armour and specialty materials. It will support factories producing Berry-compliant goods, educate lawmakers on the scope of products covered under the law, and advocate for consistent enforcement and modernisation of Berry requirements to meet evolving warfighter needs.
Industry groups welcomed the initiative. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) expressed strong support for the caucus, underscoring the importance of preserving and expanding the Berry Amendment to safeguard domestic supply chains and ensure US troops receive high-quality, American-made products.
The Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition (WPRC) also praised the move, calling it an important step in sustaining and growing the domestic industrial base that equips the American warfighter.
First enacted in 1941, the Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense to procure key mission-critical items, including textiles, clothing, footwear, body armour, tents and food, from domestic sources, helping maintain secure supply chains and support the US defence industrial base.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
The Asset Sale was negotiated by a special committee of independent directors, received unanimous approval by Allbirds’ Board of Directors, and is subject to approval by Allbirds’ common stockholders.
Allbirds has entered a definitive agreement to sell its intellectual property and select assets to American Exchange Group for an estimated $39 million, subject to shareholder approval.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which the company plans to dissolve and distribute remaining net proceeds to shareholders in the third quarter, following wind-down costs.
A proxy statement describing the transaction and seeking stockholder approval of the Asset Sale and subsequent dissolution and winding down of the Company (the ‘Dissolution’), is expected to be filed no later than April 24, 2026.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 and a distribution to stockholders of net proceeds, taking into account wind-down expenses, is anticipated to be made in the third quarter of 2026.
Joe Vernachio, CEO of Allbirds, stated, “We are incredibly thankful to our teams for the work they have been doing to fuel our product engine, build awareness of Allbirds and deliver an engaging customer experience. Over the past decade, Allbirds has evolved into a lifestyle footwear brand known for modern design, innovative materials and unparalleled comfort. This next chapter with AXNY builds on the foundational work already completed and sets up the brand to thrive in the years ahead.”
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
P&C v.3.2, which came into effect on April 1, follows an independent assessment of BCI’s standard against recognised regenerative programmes and industry-wide consultations to ensure alignment on the proposed changes.
“Our P&C is a living resource routinely updated to remain relevant and reflective of farmer realities. As climate change threatens farming communities, we have gone further to strengthen their focus on continuous improvement in relation to the principles of regenerative agriculture throughout our field-level standard,” Jannis Bellinghausen, BCI’s senior director of standards system integrity, said in a release from the organisation.
Better Cotton Initiative has launched a new version of its principles and criteria (P&C), marking the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.
P&C v.3.2, which came into effect on April 1, follows an independent assessment of BCI’s standard against recognised regenerative programmes and industry-wide consultations to ensure alignment on the proposed changes.
BCI’s P&C already covered soil health, biodiversity and natural habitats, water, pesticides and fertilisers use, and, where relevant, livestock. All these areas remain central to the standard.
The updated P&C strengthens the existing requirement of farmers to demonstrate continuous improvement by ensuring they place greater focus on regenerative agriculture when setting targets and annual activities.
Further updates to the field-level standard were made to the P&C’s management, natural resources, crop protection and decent work sections to enhance clarity and auditability.
In June 2025, BCI announced that it would transition to become a regenerative standards system at its conference in Izmir, Turkiye.
BCI head offices are in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Allbirds signs $39M asset deal with American Exchange Group
Gabrielle Union pens heartbreaking tribute after dad’s death from dementia
Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Allen mark first public appearance as parents
-
Sports1 week agoUSMNT handed reality check by Doku, Belgium ahead of World Cup
-
Sports1 week ago2026 NCAA men’s hockey tournament: Schedule, results
-
Uncategorized4 days ago
[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Trump signals p
-
Entertainment3 days agoJoe Jonas shares candid glimpse into parenthood with Sophie Turner
-
Tech3 days agoOur Favorite iPad Is $50 Off
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Further tariff
-
Entertainment1 week agoThe Avett Brothers’ bassist explains why he wrote a book about John Quincy Adams
-
Sports1 week agoMan City show why they are worthy WSL title winners as tired United wilt