TEXAS ERADICATION PROGRAM TERMINATED
In an unprecedented move, on January 22, 1996, cotton
farmers from the Texas Rio Grande valley voted nearly 3
to 1 to terminate the $10 million Boll Weevil Eradication
Program. The Texas farmers had voted to adopt the
program in 1994, which involves periodic application of
malathion at critical stages of the boll weevil's
breeding cycle. The program was adopted after Georgia
and the Carolinas experienced impressive results from the
eradication program.
Disaster struck in Texas during the first year of the
eradication program when the malathion killed off
spiders, wasps and other beneficial insects, which
usually feed on pests like aphids and beet army worms,
and allowed the pests to ravage crops. More than 80
percent of the crop was reported lost to pests, totaling
more than $140 million in crop losses and a $300 million
hit to the Texas state economy. The USDA and the Texas
A&M Extension Service continue to blame successive mild
winters and dry conditions for the beet army worm
infestation.
Clifford Smith, operator of Los Coyotes Gin and leader of
the recall vote, stated "This thing isn't a boll weevil
eradication program. It's a cotton farmer eradication
program."
Suzanne Roster, "Cotton -- Farmers Vote to Squash
Bugspray Program," REUTERS, January 23, 1996; Sam Howe
Verhovek, "In Texas, an Attempt to Swat an Old Pest Stirs
a Revolt," NEW YORK TIMES, January 24, 1996; Robert
Brice, "See No Weevil, Spray No Weevil: Valley Farmers
Call a Halt to Rick Perry's Pesticide War," THE TEXAS
OBSERVER, February 9, 1996.
EPA INTRODUCES NEW PESTICIDES
In an effort to reverse the devastating insect
infestation which cost an estimated $1.6 billion for last
year's cotton crop, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is planning to release two pesticides, trade
names Confirm and Pirate, that have not been approved for
general use. Under Section 18 of a federal law, states
are allowed, in emergency situations, to use pesticides
that are not approved for general use. State officials
must prove that the pests have exceeded a threshold of
infestation.
Confirm and Pirate are the only chemicals known to
destroy the beet army worm and the tobacco budworm, the
primary culprits in last year's crop loss. Confirm has
been utilized by growers on an emergency basis since
1994, while Pirate has never been released by the EPA.
Jim Jones, head of the EPA pesticide program, said that
while neither chemical poses a human health risk,
laboratory studies show that Pirate reduces fertility in
ducks, and can linger in the environment for up to two
years.
In other EPA news, due to reduced funding, EPA's Office
of Pesticide Programs is unable to process some product
applications in time for this year's planting season.
Included in products that won't make this crop season is
a genetically engineered cotton plant introduced by
Monsanto Co.
Suzanne Rostler, "Cotton -- Worms Squirm Amid New EPA
Pesticide Threat," REUTERS, February 2, 1996; "An EPA
Office Feels the Pinch," CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY WEEKLY
REPORT, February 10, 1996.
TRADHOUND COLOR GROWN COLLECTION
Trad Trading Co., Ltd. has been producing organic cotton
apparel since 1994, and recently introduced a line of
color-grown organic cotton workwear. "The reaction to
our new color-grown organic cotton workwear has been a
great boost to our new company," said David Harrison,
president of Trad Trading Co. "We are also one of the
first companies to utilize low-impact garment dying to
add fashion colors to organic cotton. With the addition
of color-grown, the need for dying is eliminated
entirely. This further reduces the impact." TradHound
Uncommon Workwear is a unisex sportswear collection
including over thirty styles of rugged items such as bib
overalls, canvas workshirts, walk shorts, basic golf
shirts and tees. The collection is available nationally
through a dealer network of specialty apparel, outdoor
and catalog retailers. Patagonia stores in Ventura, San
Francisco and Boston also handle the line. For more
information, contact Trad Trading Company, Ltd., 111
Stuyvesant Road, P.O. Box 15964, Asheville, NC 28813-
0964. Phone 1-800-801-TRAD; fax 1-800-820-TRAD; email
<75260.2157@compuserve.com>.
"Less Is More...Color Grown Cotton Collection Hits
Stores," Trad Trading Company press release, January
1996.
GLOBAL MARKETPLACE INTELLIGENCE
U.S.: U.S. textile mills will likely import around
100,000 bales of cotton in 1995-1996, according to
industry estimates. Imports into the United States are
permitted under a special import quota based on
consumption data. The price trigger for the quota has
been engaged repeatedly this season due to high cotton
prices.
In other news, the U.S. is withdrawing its membership
from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
because of funding cutbacks in the State Department.
Effective June 30, this decision will limit U.S.
participation in forming international cotton policy and
will hinder the ability of U.S. merchants to directly
contact buyers in other countries.
"U.S. Cotton Imports Forecast at 100,000 Bales in 1995-
96," THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, January 16, 1996; Kim
Archer, "State Department Cuts Force End to U.S. Role in
Global Cotton Group," THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, January 8,
1996.
INDIA: As it is election year in India, the country's
farmers' lobby is in a stronger position that usual, and
is pushing the federal government to release extra cotton
for export. This move would win agricultural votes, but
lose support of the mill owners, who would prefer to
delay any decision to alter the export quota until the
release of the final crop estimate for 1995-96.
"Indian Cotton Growers Seek Election Bonus," FINANCIAL
TIMES, February 22, 1996.
PAKISTAN: After three consecutive years of substantial
crop damages caused by insects, Pakistani cotton farmers
are enjoying a bumper harvest and are rushing to sell
before prices fall. Even at lower prices, growers hope
to make a profit and turn around losses from the last
three years. Zahoor Ahmed, director of Pakistan's
largest cotton research institute, points to increased
plantings of pest-tolerant crop varieties and the
elimination of the most pest-susceptible varieties for
the improved crop performance.
"Pakistan Picks Bumper Cotton Crop," FINANCIAL TIMES,
January 9, 1996.
EGYPT: Earlier this month, the Egyptian government
lifted its ban on cotton exports, a move that should help
to ease the pressure on the international market for the
supply of long staple cotton varieties. Last season,
Egypt captured 27 percent of the world market, but
delayed any announcement on exports this year until local
consumption had been satisfied.
James Whittington, "Egypt Lifts Cotton Export Ban,"
FINANCIAL TIMES, February 7, 1996.
EVENTS AND RESOURCES
Sustainable Cotton Conference, March 7, 1996 at the Kern
Ag Pavilion in Bakersfield, CA. Presented by the
Committee for Sustainable Agriculture, sponsored by the
Gap Foundation, CA Integrated Waste Management Board,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Peaceful Valley
Farm Supply, Rincon Vitova, and the Sustainable Cotton
Project. For more information, contact the Committee for
Sustainable Development at 916-756-6967.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Information Package,
1995, by Rex Dufour and Chris Rugen. Describes key
components and pest control tools of IPM systems and
examines economic, social and environmental factors
influencing IPM. 21 pp. No charge for U.S. orders.
Contact Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
(ATTRA), P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702 phone
800-346-9140; email <askattra@ncatfyv.uark.edu>.
_______________________________________________________
Produced by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy, Mark Ritchie, President. Editor: Kate Hoff, e-
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