Major stakeholders in the Australian cotton industry have come together to develop a Strategic Roadmap for the Australian Cotton Industry.
- Cotton Australia, Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) and Cotton Research & Development Corporation (CRDC) will collaborate on this project that seeks to help the industry remain competitive in a changing fashion and textiles market.
- Five key topic areas will be addressed with broad consultation across industry, farmers and stakeholders: traceability, industry data, sustainably-certified cotton/myBMP programme and Australian cotton marketing.
- The development of the Australian Cotton Strategic Roadmap will be funded by the Australian government under the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program.
The Context: The global landscape for cotton and textiles has changed, with new legislation affecting market access, companies required to report on social and environmental impact and global frameworks requiring evidence of social and environmental governance back to farm level.
- With the European Union and the United States taking firm action to ensure products entering these markets are sustainably sourced, and free from human rights issues, Australian cotton is at risk of losing access to export markets if the industry fails to prepare for the future.
- Australian brand and retail customers, their shareholders and governments are demanding supply chain traceability, and certified sustainable raw materials backed up by data to support claims.
- Growers, industry, external stakeholders and technical experts will be consulted throughout the process with a cross-industry Steering Committee, working groups and a survey that will be open to all of industry.
The Details: The Strategic Roadmap will provide clear direction for the industry to:
- reposition itself in a changing global environment;
- remain competitive;
- further capitalise on investments in research, innovation and sustainability;
- create fair and equitable value for farmers and industry;
- position the industry for the future;
- better align industry needs with customer needs.
The objective is to develop a Strategic Roadmap that:
- Clearly defines the target state;
- Sets out practical and realistic strategies and actions for achieving the target states;
- Assigns responsibilities for strategies and actions
- Establishes potential investment options, funding models and sources
- Is developed with consensus from key industry bodies including Cotton Australia, ACSA and CRDC.
What They Said:
I believe the panel process will provide high level industry expertise the ability to collaborate and find consensus on each of the Strategic Roadmap issues. This important process, put simply, is about responding to our customer requirements and enabling Australia Cotton to secure market access by demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable and responsible supply chain.
— Nigel Burnett
Chair
Cotton Australia
