Australian cotton industry cuts pesticide hazards

An increase was noted in the proportion of female and indigenous workers since 2016, while annual data showed a decrease in yield and increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2022, according to the 2022 Sustainability Update released by Cotton Australia and Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC).

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said: “The 2022 Sustainability Update provides evidence of an industry seeking to give its stakeholders a transparent and balanced review. Since becoming the first Australian agricultural industry to independently assess its environmental impacts in 1991, the Australian cotton industry is proud of long positive trends in many areas but also knows it needs to keep looking at ways to improve.

“Our latest update clearly shows what we’re doing well, but just as importantly it shows what challenges we have and what we’re doing to address areas where we can better manage risks and opportunities.

“The data shows we have more to do in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and while we have witnessed a significant decline in the negative impact of herbicide use since 2004, there has been an increase in herbicide hazard over the past two years and as an industry our goal is to minimise the environmental impact of herbicide use.”

The 2022 Sustainability Update also revealed that the five-year average irrigated yield of Australian cotton increased by 55 per cent from 1994 to 2002, compared to an 8 per cent dryland yield increase in the same period. This highlights how efficient use of irrigation water, within sustainable river and groundwater system limits, can meet a growing global call for sustainable intensification of agriculture—to produce more food and fibre while reducing negative impacts and increasing positive impacts on people and nature, added the release.

CRDC executive director Dr. Ian Taylor said: “Collaboration and coordination were key parts of the cotton industry’s work to deliver sustainable intensification. The Planet. People. Paddock. framework is the Australian cotton industry’s tool to deliver sustainable intensification by improving the resilience and productivity of farming systems while maintaining nature’s contributions to people.

“Collaborating with others inside and outside the industry to get the environmental, social, and economic balance right is absolutely essential, and we are investing time and money to make this happen.

“Working with Natural Resource Management Regions Australia to develop regionally appropriate native vegetation targets, supporting the work of the National Soil Strategy to improve soil health, and advocating for a whole of agriculture approach to promoting human rights on Australian farms are examples of the collaborative approach the industry is taking.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)