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Water becomes maintstream cotton industry topic
14 Mar '07
3 min read
“Australia's cotton farmers are already the most efficient water users in the world."
“Cotton growers cut their water consumption by 37 per cent between 2000 and 2005, compared with a reduction of 8 per cent among general Australian households. The cotton industry is also investing $17 million annually on research and development of new technologies to improve water use,” he said.
He noted that the cotton industry employs 10,000 Australians and indirectly supports many thousands more jobs that service the industry in cotton communities throughout regional areas, thus when drought hits, the impact resonates right throughout these communities.
“A recent study found that over a three-year period in the Wee Waa region, the gross turnover of local businesses almost halved, permanent staff numbers were down by almost one-third, casual staff numbers fell by 48 per cent, and one in three of those who lost their jobs left the region, depleting the local primary school of 57 pupils.”
Mr George said Cotton Australia welcomed the Prime Minister's recent announcement of a $10 billion program to improve national water management, which he said is significant funding for water use efficiency improvements and infrastructure.
He said Cotton Australia is working to ensure water users property rights are protected, and that the water market is allowed to operate. "The cotton industry looks forward to working with Federal and State Governments to findpractical solutions to water issues," he said.
“Cotton growers cut their water consumption by 37 per cent between 2000 and 2005, compared with a reduction of 8 per cent among general Australian households. The cotton industry is also investing $17 million annually on research and development of new technologies to improve water use,” he said.
He noted that the cotton industry employs 10,000 Australians and indirectly supports many thousands more jobs that service the industry in cotton communities throughout regional areas, thus when drought hits, the impact resonates right throughout these communities.
“A recent study found that over a three-year period in the Wee Waa region, the gross turnover of local businesses almost halved, permanent staff numbers were down by almost one-third, casual staff numbers fell by 48 per cent, and one in three of those who lost their jobs left the region, depleting the local primary school of 57 pupils.”
Mr George said Cotton Australia welcomed the Prime Minister's recent announcement of a $10 billion program to improve national water management, which he said is significant funding for water use efficiency improvements and infrastructure.
He said Cotton Australia is working to ensure water users property rights are protected, and that the water market is allowed to operate. "The cotton industry looks forward to working with Federal and State Governments to findpractical solutions to water issues," he said.
Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd
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