Strategy group to oversee establishment of cotton industry in North

28/8/95

Primary Industry Minister Monty House has appointed a Cotton Strategy Group to plan and oversee the establishment of a cotton industry in the north of Western Australia.

The formation of the group is an integral part of the State Government's commitment to develop a cotton industry in WA.

New South Wales and Queensland cotton growers and companies have expressed genuine investment interest in the North of Western Australia.

The group will build on promising cotton trials in the Kimberley conducted by the CSIRO, the WA Department of Agriculture and private enterprise companies over the past three years.

"The Cotton Strategy Group brings together a small team of motivated and innovative individuals with expertise in cotton, agricultural industry development, strategic planning and finance," Mr House said.

"The group will be responsible for advising Government and industry on key issues that will affect the industry development, how constraints to development can be overcome and overseeing Government agency programs for cotton.

"The aim of the group is to have strong private enterprise involvement to lead the industry and maximise the opportunities for regional development, local employment and agricultural diversification if cotton proves successful."

Mr House has appointed David Farley as chairman of the group. Mr Farley has extensive cotton industry production and marketing expertise and is currently managing director of Colly Farms Cotton Ltd group of companies in NSW and Queensland.

Mr Farley is also vice president of the World Cotton Exporters' Association, a director of the Australian Cotton Foundation and Wool International and was previously a director of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

Other members of the Cotton Strategy Group include:

+          George Gardiner, Agricultural development consultant, Kununurra;

+          Alan Castleman, formerly corporate general manager, Strategic Development BHP Pty Ltd, current chairman of Western Metals Ltd and former member of the Kimberley Water Resources Development Advisory Board;

+          Brian Hearn,    Post-retirement fellow, CSIRO Cotton Research Unit, Narrabri;

+          Tim Hodge, Kimberley Development Commission; and -

+          Kim Morison, executive officer, Office of the Minister for Primary Industry.

Mr House said the results of recent trials suggested cotton might be a profitable and competitive alternative to present agricultural land use options in the North in areas that had suitable climate, soils and water resources.

"Conventional and genetically engineered insect resistant cotton varieties have been successfully trialled in the region; however, on-going work is required into integrated pest management, biological control and management strategies.

Mr House said the Kimberley was ideally located to take advantage of increasing demand for cotton in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and China with its close physical proximity to South East Asia.

Cotton ranks as Australia's fifth largest agricultural industry and is the fifth largest rural export earner.

Australian cotton production peaked at 2.2 million bales in 1991-92, but declined to only 1.47 million bales last season due to the Eastern States drought.

The first meeting of the strategy group will be held in Perth today.

Media contact:  Will Henwood (09) 481 2044