Better Cotton
Better Cotton is a global program to improve the sustainability of cotton farming globally. It was formerly known as the Better Cotton Initiative.
About BCI
Better Cotton brings together farmers, ginners, manufacturers, retailers, brands, civil society and grassroots organisations in a unique global community committed to developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.
The Better Cotton Standard is a set of on-farm best practices covering social and environmental issues like pesticides, water, soil health and wellbeing.
In the 2017/18 cotton season, two-million Better Cotton farmers across 21 countries produced 5.1 million metric tonnes of Better Cotton lint, accounting for 19% of global cotton production.
Click here for more information on Better Cotton.
Click here to download the brochure myBMP – The Australian Cotton Industry’s Sustainability Standard.
Cotton Australia’s involvement in Better Cotton
Cotton Australia joined BCI in 2014, with myBMP on-farm standards matched to the Better Cotton Standard. This allowed fully accredited myBMP Australian cotton growers to participate in the Better Cotton Initiative and sell their cotton as Better Cotton on the world market.
Australian cotton growers must do four things to qualify as a Better Cotton grower:
- Achieve full myBMP certification
- Pay the full Cotton Australia levy
- Have a current self-assessment completed in myBMP (Level 1 and Level 2)
- Opt-in to Better Cotton by contacting the myBMP Office at: [email protected]
Better Cotton is a global, multi-stakeholder organisation that operates at many levels in many countries.
Why should growers participate in Better Cotton?
Australian growers now have access to premium markets for cotton grown on myBMP certified farms by opting in to Better Cotton. The number of brands joining Better Cotton and making public commitments to sourcing 100% sustainable cotton is increasing. If Better Cotton continues to grow, farmers not in the program will not be able to access these markets.
Over the past few seasons, many Australian cotton growers have been able to negotiate an additional $2 - $3 per bale for their Better Cotton Claim Units (Better Cotton credits). The value of Better Cotton Claim Units varies each season, and the price depends on the supply and demand for sustainable cotton on international markets, but this is a great incentive for growers already involved in myBMP.
Further information available for download:
