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SECTION 11 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT This section brought to you in association with
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myBMP underpins Australia’s cotton sustainability credentials By Rick Kowitz – myBMP Manager
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espite a very dry season, myBMP continues to be well supported by Australia’s cotton growers. Most cotton growers are now registered in the myBMP program and around 20 per cent of Australia’s
cotton comes from myBMP-accredited farms, a three-fold increase since 2014 when Cotton Australia first partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
Better Cotton Initiative continues to grow Better Cotton premiums have been a great incentive for Australian cotton growers and have helped get more growers involved in myBMP. Global Better Cotton production has been steadily increasing and now accounts for 19 per cent of the world’s cotton production. The demand for Better Cotton from retailers and brands continues to grow, but has not kept pace with supply, therefore putting pressure on the value of the Better Cotton premiums. BCI is working hard to close the gap by getting more retailers and brands on board and doubling the demand for Better Cotton from five to 10 per cent of global cotton over the next few years.
Bayer’s Better Farming Program – a boost to sustainability
Rick Kowitz (myBMP Manager) presents Ross Burnett from Emerald with a BCI Licenced Grower sign.
In 2018, Monsanto, now Bayer, announced the myBMP Bale Grant as part of its ongoing Better Farming Grants Program. Bayer rewards growers with a $1 per bale grant for cotton produced from myBMP-accredited farms, a cash incentive that amounted to more than $1 million dollars in the first year. In addition to the myBMP Bale Grant, Bayer reimburses cotton growers with $2000 to cover the cost of a successful myBMP accreditation audit. The Better Farming Grants program has been running for six years now. Bayer’s Better Farming Grants Program is welcomed by the industry and contributes to a more sustainable future for Australian cotton.
myBMP gains more global recognition myBMP is one of the highest sustainability standards in the world. This is becoming apparent as we benchmark myBMP against more global sustainability standards. myBMP is now recognised by six global standards, including the Textile Exchange, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, the International Trade Centre’s Sustainability Map, Forum for the Future – CottonUP Guide, CottonLEADSTM and the Better Cotton Initiative. Cotton Australia will 144 — COTTON YEARBOOK 2019
