Scott Morgan of Gunnedah Cotton, Adam Kay of Cotton Australia, Brooke Summers of Cotton to Market, and Allan Williams of the CRDC have returned from the worldwide Better Cotton (BC) Conference and other forums promoting the excellence of Australian cotton. Climate action, traceability and data, sustainable livelihoods, and regenerative agriculture were among the topics covered during the conference.
Cotton Australia said in a press statement that the BC Conference in Amsterdam drew 330 participants from 34 countries and allowed all delegates to address the audience in several settings, from round tables to on-stage presentations and panel discussions.
According to Brooke Summers, the meeting provided a chance to focus on quality data. “Data that measures the impact on sustainability is a must-have requirement for cotton certifications like myBMP, as well as our customers.” This discussion provided us with a better understanding of what brands want, as well as a chance to educate them on the complexity and expense of data collecting at the farm level.”
Summers noted that the result was a far stronger two-way understanding of what data is necessary and why. “The drivers for data collection and analysis are very different at the farm and brand levels, and we looked at how we could help bring these needs together in ways that satisfy everyone’s needs.”
At the conference’s opening session, Adam discussed the Australian cotton industry’s efforts to mitigate climate change, while grower Scott Morgan, a myBMP certified grower who also participates in the Better Cotton Program, spoke on a panel about climate mitigation and adaptation on his farm, including his solar-powered pumps and involvement in cotton circularity trials.
Brooke then attended the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, which had a strong focus on sustainability under the theme ‘Ambition to Action.’ Princess Mary of Denmark officially inaugurated the meeting.
Brooke was also able to visit the Premiere Vision Show in Paris, which is described as an ‘international hub of interactions, inspiration, know-how, innovation, and commerce.’ From its start, the venue combines fashion with the greatest textiles, fibers, and resources to help develop a more sustainable fashion.
The ATMAC project, which strives to open, enhance, and/or preserve access to global markets for Australian agricultural goods through strengthening partnerships with trading partners, surrounding nations, and international bodies, aided the attendance.
