QUEENSLAND’S COTTON INDUSTRY ALL SEWN UP

Cotton farmers, the community and the environment will benefit from a landmark agreement between Cotton Australia and the State Government, Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said the Cotton industry’s Best Management Practices (BMP) Program administered by Cotton Australia has been granted accreditation by the State Government.

“Accreditation provides cotton farmers with the ability to meet the State’s regulatory requirements for a land and water management plan through participation in the BMP Program,” Mr Wallace said.

“This initiative will provide environmental, financial and industry benefits ensuring the cotton industry meets stringent farm management requirements to conserve land and water resources.”

Acceptance of the industry’s BMP Program is an enormous vote of confidence in the industry, Cotton Australia Chairwoman, Mrs Joanne Grainger said.

Mrs Grainger said participating in the cotton industry’s voluntary BMP program provided an alternative to developing a statutory land and water management plan.

“This clearly demonstrates cotton growers’ ability to manage their land and water resources in an efficient and sustainable manner,” Mrs Grainger said.

“Not only will this agreement save cotton farmers time and money, it will demonstrate real value in participating in the BMP program and encourage more growers to become BMP certified,” she said.

Mr Wallace said the Queensland Government will maintain an oversight on the process, but the industry will ensure the quality of its farm management plans.

Mr Wallace said the development of property plans through Cotton Australia would be voluntary, and cotton farmers could opt to fulfil the requirement through the government system instead.

“This is an alternative holistic process to allow people to meet the requirements of farm planning for the future,” he said.

Mrs Grainger said Cotton Australia is aware of a significant number of cotton growers who have been watching the progress of the agreement with interest because they preferred to meet their obligations via the industry pathway.

“Now that the agreement has been signed, work will commence in certifying these growers,” she said.

Accreditation applies to cotton growers who have been identified by the State Government as having triggered the need for a statutory land and water management plan.

Media enquiries: Minister Wallace’s Office, 3896 3688.