“As the climate becomes more variable it may make sense, for example, to plant rice and cotton during the wet years, rather than persist with permanent plantings which need water year-round”
Tim Flannery, 2007 Australian of the Year
New Scientist, 16/6/07
“Australia has one of the most variable water supply systems in the world, and to manage it we need annual crops that can be switched on and off depending on how much water is available,”
Mike Young, Wentworth Group Scientist and Water Economist
“Cut backs to water allocations not only impact negatively upon local cotton producers but have a multiplier effect within all sectors of the agricultural industry and the broader community. Prolonged setbacks to the cotton industry can negatively affect local communities and the general economy, as employees and contractors look elsewhere for work and producers have to engage in other less profitable and sustainable pursuits.”
Max Kershaw, General Manager, Narrabri Shire Council
Letter to Cotton Australia, 12/02/08
“Growing rice and cotton will be more viable than permanent plantings as climate change takes hold. Growers need to be flexible in what they plant as weather events become more severe.”
Matt Kendall, Director of Water Resources, National Water Commission
ABC Radio, 17/08/07
“New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show irrigation pasture for grazing is Australia’s biggest user of water, easily eclipsing cotton.”
Media Monitors, 15.08.07
