Cotton Australia acknowledges contribution of growers

Cotton Australia major achievements 2012-13

On-farm support & member services

Secured essential movement of machinery: red tape was strangling growers’ ability to move essential machinery and product including pickers, modules and ginned bales. Cotton Australia negotiated common-sense outcomes with NSW and Queensland Governments that ensured the industry could pick and move the crop.

Reduced industry-wide Phenoxy damage by two-thirds: Cotton Australia’s ongoing Phenoxy drift reduction program was a massive campaign using media, public briefings, advertising and farmer resources. It achieved a reduction in Phenoxy damage from 11% three years ago to less than 3% in 2012.

Lobbied for and achieved critical disaster relief: Cotton Australia lobbying secured Category C and D assistance for growers impacted by flooding in areas including Emerald, Biloela, the Darling Downs, Goondiwindi and Lower Balonne

Completed essential groundwork for the record crop: the organisation proactively communicated with suppliers and financiers to ensure the cotton industry was geared up, and funded for, Australia’s biggest ever cotton crop

Prevented a proposed ban on Diuron: the Australian Government proposed to suspend use of Diuron for the industry. Cotton Australia negotiated with government to successfully thwart the ban for cotton. Other industries now endure a ban on Diuron

United the industry via the Australian Cotton Conference: more than 1600 delegates attended the Australian Cotton Conference, discussing ideas and policy issues to move the industry forward. Levy paying growers received a discount on attendance fees

Guaranteed a voice for growers in all regions: Cotton Australia contracted local regional managers to ensure messaging from growers reaches important stakeholders and decisionmakers, including government at all levels

Safe machinery assessments in QLD: Cotton Australia secured funding to carry out over 300 machinery assessments with growers and their staff to ensure they are ticketed.

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Cotton Australia