TEXAS FARMERS TURN BACK THREAT OF MALATHION SPRAYING OF
ORGANIC CROP
A Boll Weevil Eradication Program proposed by state officials in Texas
threatened organic cotton crops with state-wide spraying of malathion. The
Organic Cotton Growers in Texas report that the measure was stalled, and
organic growers will be protected from state-imposed mandatory IPM for
three years. For more information, call the Texas Organic Cotton Growers at
806-439-6646.
PRODUCTION INCREASING IN U.S., GLOBALLY
United States analysts report that record-breaking cotton prices and strong
demand is encouraging U.S. growers to plant significantly more cotton this
year. Cotton prices have spiked up past $1 a pound for the first time
since the
U.S. Civil War.
Carl Anderson, cotton marketing specialist at Texas A&M University, said,
"We have such good contracts based on 80 cents and above [per pound] for the
farmer that they've gone out to the fields and plowed up newly planted grains
and planted cotton instead."
U.S. farmers plan an 18 percent increase in cotton acreage this year. "New
technology is creating new demand," says commodities broker Keith Brown
of Moultrie, GA. He cited the popularity of wrinkle-free cotton apparel and
plans by some manufacturers to produce cotton carpeting and even 100
percent cotton toilet paper.
Global shortages of cotton have caused U.S. cotton exports to boom. China
was rumored to have bought nearly 300,000 480-pound bales after failing to
secure supplies from the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, the only other
source of sizable amounts of high-quality cotton.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee reports that globally, cotton
production in 1995-96 is projected at 19.32 million tons, up from 18.33 million
tons in 1994-95.
"Bigger World Cotton Crop Forecast Next Season," FINANCIAL TIMES,
April 4, 1995; "U.S. Cotton Planting Boom Forecast," FINANCIAL TIMES,
March 29, 1995; "Cotton Prices Keep Climbing," AP April 7, 1995; "Cotton
Prices Gyrate, End Higher," REUTERS, April 4, 1995.
ORGANIC COTTON MARKET SHARE ESTIMATES
Organic cotton is expected to gain five to 10 percent of the market share
of all
cotton products by the end of the decade, according to Philip Wakelyn of the
United States National Cotton Council. Organic cotton is gaining popularity
due to marketing efforts responding to new consumer preferences.
Conventional cotton growers argue that their product was already natural,
Wakelyn said.
"'Organic' Cotton May Gain Market Share," REUTERS, March 2, 1994.
PESTICIDE-PRODUCING COTTON
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted limited registration
for genetically engineered corn, cotton and potatoes that produce their own
pesticides. All three plants contain genetic information from a type of
bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Genes from Bt are introduced into the
cotton plant, which then produces an insect toxin ("delta endotoxin")
identical to that produced naturally in the bacterium. This delta endotoxin
affects insects when ingested, but not mammals, specifically the cotton
bollworm, the tobacco budworm and pink bollworm.
EPA believes that plant pesticides can reduce the use of conventional
pesticides and generally result in less risk to public health and the
environment. The Union of Concern Scientists (UCS) said the decision was
made "in deference to industry requests." According to Margaret Mellon of
UCS, "The greater harm will be to organic farmers who will lose a very
valuable tool once the Bt crops render the natural spray ineffective."
Monsanto Co. of St. Louis has registered the Bt insecticidal cotton seed.
This technology is precluded by genetically engineered cotton that tolerates
the weed killer bromoxynil. Called BXN cotton, the variety was developed by
the French chemical maker Rhone-Poulenc and Davis, California-based
Calgene, Inc. This product allows growers to eliminate weeds without
harming the cotton plant. Environmentalists are unhappy about this
product. "Agricultural biotechnology is clearly being used to entrench, not
reduce, reliance on toxic chemical pesticides," said Rebecca Goldburg, a
biologist with the Environmental Defense Fund.
Michelle Thom, "New Product News," INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND
BIODIVERSITY NEWS, April 12, 1995; "EPA Clears Three Genetically Altered
Crops That Will Repel Pests," NEW YORK TIMES, April 11, 1995; "Fresh
Picked Farm Facts," GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, February 18, 1994.
Organic Industry News
MERRIGAN APPOINTED TO NOSB
Kathleen Merrigan, Senior Policy Analyst at the Wallace Institute, was
recently appointed to a 5-year term on the National Organic Standards Board
(NOSB). The NOSB will be meeting in late April in Orlando, Florida to
consider materials for organic production.
"Kathleen Merrigan Named to National Organic Standards Board,"
ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE, April 1995.
DUTCH CONSUMER ASSOCIATION SAYS BO WEEVIL T-SHIRT IS BEST
Bo Weevil is a Dutch company started by organic food wholesalers in the
1980's. Its objectives are to stimulate, initiate and manage projects in
the field
of sustainable cotton and textile production. Bo Weevil's cotton t-shirt was
recently selected "best-tested"/"best choice" of 30 brands by the Dutch
Consumer Association. Bo Weevil supplies the textile industry with baled
cotton, linters, yarn, fabrics and some finished articles. For more
information, contact: Bo Weevil BV Postbus 236, 3850 AE Ermelo, The
Netherlands (phone) 31-0-3417-62767 (fax) 31-0-3417-62913.
Information Request
Teresa Urban, from Brasil, is looking for information and case studies on
technology and organic cotton production. She is looking for information
that can improve her ability to assist farmers in organic agriculture
projects in
Parana State, one of the most important agriculture states in southern Brasil.
Please forward any information to:
Teresa Urban
REDE VERDE DE INFORMAOES AMBIENTAIS
R. Brigadeiro Franco, 549
CURITIBA-PR-BRASIL
CEP 80.430-210
Phone & Fax: 55-41-222-9740
E-mail <redeverde@ax.apc.org>
Resources
"Standards for Sustainable Textile Producers." Skal, the Dutch standard-
setting agency for organic cotton, has published their overall report on
standards for the processing of natural fibers, "The Skal Standards for
Sustainable Textile Production." Contact Skal for ordering information. Skal,
Stationsplein 5, P.O. Box 384, 8000 AJ Zwolle, The Netherlands (phone) 31-0-
38-226-866 (fax) 31-0-38-213-063.
"Nordic Environmental Labeling: Eco-Labeling of Textiles, 1994." Swedish
Standards Institution (SIS). Nordic Council of Ministers adopted measures to
implement voluntary, positive environmental labeling in 1989. This
document examines effects of textile production and includes criteria for eco
labeling of cotton, wool, flax, and synthetic fibers. Also provides list of
pesticides not allowed in production of eco-labeled textiles. This document is
available for no charge from SIS Miljomarkning, Box 3295, S-103 66,
Stockholm, Sweden (phone) 46-8-613-52-00 (fax) 46-8-21-30-70.
______________________________________________
Produced by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Mark
Ritchie, President. Editor: Kate Hoff, e-mail <iatp@iatp.org>. E-mail
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list of other IATP publications, contact the Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy, 1313 5th St. SE, Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
612-379-5980, fax: 612-379-5982, e-mail <iatp@iatp.org>. For
information about IATP's contract research services, contact Dale
Wiehoff at IATP <dwiehoff@iatp.org>.
Jackie Hunt Christensen
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
1313 5th St. SE, #303
Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
phone: 612-379-5980
fax: 612-379-5982
e-mail: iatp@iatp.org