QLD: Cotton industry applauded for good practice

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-1998
QLD: Cotton industry applauded for good practice

BRISBANE, Dec 18 AAP - Cotton growers in Queensland and New South Wales heralded a new era
in environmental management today.

The Good Neighbours Program, which urges growers to adopt best management practices by
2001, was launched by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and his New South Wales counterpart Bob
Carr in the border town of Goondiwindi.

Mr Beattie said the cotton industry recognised the blunt truth that it could not expect to
perform economically if it could not perform environmentally.

The Good Neighbours plan ensured individual growers applied the best science to pesticide
application, safe storage and handling of chemicals, integrated pest management and farm
design and management, he said.

Both premiers pledged their governments would continue to work with the industry to improve
the environment.

Mr Beattie said: "The Good Neighbours Program delivers very important benefits to the
industry and the community."

Mr Carr said cotton was a $1 billion industry for NSW and the industry understood it needed
to improve its environmental practices.

"It is a recognition that cotton growers want to become better environmental farmers and
good neighbours," Mr Carr said.

AAP sd/mk

KEYWORD: COTTON

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