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QLD Govt recognizes cotton in landmark agreement
01 Feb '08
2 min read
In a landmark agreement, the Queensland government has recognised the cotton industry's voluntary environmental program as an alternative to developing a statutory land and water management plan.
The agreement allows cotton farmers certified to all seven modules of the Cotton Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) Program to provide a copy of their BMP certificate to the Queensland government, in lieu of developing and submitting the statutory plan.
Following comprehensive and lengthy negotiations between Cotton Australia and the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNR&W), an agreement has been signed between the two parties that will benefit government, cotton growers and the natural environment.
“This is an enormous vote of confidence in the cotton industry's voluntary approach to environmental management and clearly demonstrates cotton growers' ability to manage their land and water resources in an efficient and sustainable manner,” Cotton Australia Chairman, Mrs Joanne 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.
The cotton industry's BMP Program has been in operation for over a decade, with the Program's newest Land and Water Management module helping growers identify risks and develop actions to ensure sustainable production systems are in place.
Cotton Australia is aware of a significant number of cotton growers who have been watching the progress of these negotiations with keen interest, preferring to meet their legal obligations via the industry pathway. Now that the agreement has been signed, work will commence in certifying these growers.
The agreement 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.
The agreement allows cotton farmers certified to all seven modules of the Cotton Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) Program to provide a copy of their BMP certificate to the Queensland government, in lieu of developing and submitting the statutory plan.
Following comprehensive and lengthy negotiations between Cotton Australia and the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water (DNR&W), an agreement has been signed between the two parties that will benefit government, cotton growers and the natural environment.
“This is an enormous vote of confidence in the cotton industry's voluntary approach to environmental management and clearly demonstrates cotton growers' ability to manage their land and water resources in an efficient and sustainable manner,” Cotton Australia Chairman, Mrs Joanne 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.
The cotton industry's BMP Program has been in operation for over a decade, with the Program's newest Land and Water Management module helping growers identify risks and develop actions to ensure sustainable production systems are in place.
Cotton Australia is aware of a significant number of cotton growers who have been watching the progress of these negotiations with keen interest, preferring to meet their legal obligations via the industry pathway. Now that the agreement has been signed, work will commence in certifying these growers.
The agreement 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.
Cotton Australia
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