Q&A about Organic cotton:
1. What is "organic cotton"?
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.
2. How much organic cotton is grown globally?
According to Organic Exchange, global production of organic cotton increased by 53 percent from 2005/2006 to 2006/2007; global organic cotton sales are projected to skyrocket from $583 million in 2005 to $2.6 billion by the end of 2008. The Organic Exchange Organic Farm and Fiber Report 2007 reported 265,517 bales of organic cotton produced in 24 countries. Based on the Organic Trade Association's organic cotton bale 2006 totals in this report, U.S. production makes up 3.06% of global organic cotton production.
3. How will purchasing organic products help keep our water clean?
Conventional agricultural methods can cause water contamination. Beginning in May 1995, a network of environmental organizations, including the Environmental Working Group, began testing tap water for herbicides in cities across the United States' Corn Belt, and in Louisiana and Maryland. The results revealed widespread contamination of tap water with many different pesticides at levels that present serious health risks. In some cities, herbicides in tap water exceed federal lifetime health standards for weeks or months at a time. The organic farmer's elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, in combination with soil building,
works to prevent contamination, and protects and conserves water resources. ( information from ŠOrganic Trade Association states)
4. What can Organic Cotton help to Health and Environmental?
So serious are the negative impacts of chemical-intensive agricultural production, that momentum for change has grown considerably in recent years. The trend toward more environmentally friendly production methods is supported by a variety of interests including farmers wanting to escape the chemical treadmill, enlightened companies under pressure of increased environmental regulation and competition, and informed consumers calling for greater social and environmental accountability. The burgeoning consumer interest in organic food production has now expanded into other areas of organic production including cotton fibre produced in organic systems. ( information from www.organiccottondirectory.net)
