Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an essential foundation for cotton sustainability
IPM is defined as “the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment. IPM emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.” (International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides adopted by FAO in 2002).
Cotton producers are at the forefront of adopting modern technology for IPM. Technologies in the U.S. and globally are being integrated – whether it be cultural practices, pest monitoring, computer-aided management systems, biological control, precision agriculture, or biotechnology – before synthetic pesticides are used. For example, according to a 2005 USDA survey, insect pest monitoring is used on 96% of U.S. cotton acreage and weed monitoring on 92%.
Worldwide, lower quantities of pesticides are sold for use on cotton than for production of fruits and vegetables and cereals.
Pesticide sold for cotton production was 8.5% of the total 2004 pesticides sales worldwide. This compares to 28.7% for fruits and vegetables and 16% for cereals. (Cropnosis Ltd; Edinburgh, Scotland 2004)
In the United States cotton is regulated as a food crop.
Cotton is primarily used for fiber production intended for textile manufacturing. However, cotton linters, cottonseed oil, and cottonseed meal are by-products that are used in human and animal foodstuffs: Therefore cotton is treated by regulatory agencies no differently than food crops such as soybean, corn or wheat. This involves strict rules and FDA and EPA regulations for approval, labeling and application of all chemicals, or the use of genetically modified varieties.
Consumers can be reassured that there is no pesticide or chemical residue on cotton fiber. The Bremen Cotton Exchange in Germany routinely tests for over 228 chemical substances on raw cotton fiber from growing regions around the world. These results show that all cotton, including U.S. cotton, satisfies eco-label standards. (Analysis of Chemical Residues on Cotton 2008.Bremen Cotton Exchange)
Why farmers control insects, weeds and pathogens.
Cotton is vulnerable to pests, especially insects and weeds. It has been estimated that over 80% of the crop would be loss if crop protection measures were not used to manage the pest complex. Despite actual control measures about 30% of crops are lost to pests worldwide. (Oerke and Dehne (2004) Safeguarding production – loss in major crops and the role of crop protection. Crop Protection 23, 275-285)
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