COTTON CLASSING

In 1997, the Australian Cotton Industry initiated an independent international review of our evaluation process. John Curran of Glasgow, who worked for Coates for 37 years holding positions on various international cotton committees, produced his report after consultation with all parts of the Australian Industry.

The main object of the Curran review was to ascertain if a centralised classing non-government operation was needed. This question was answered in the negative as it was strongly felt that competition between merchants and the availability of both local and international independent classing laboratories would ensure the integrity of each classing office would be maintained.

This report is being acted on by a Cotton Evaluation Advancement Committee (CEAC) of farmers, researchers, merchants and classers. The CEAC reports directly to the Australian Cotton Industry Council where recommendations are evaluated for practical implication

Other larger long term questions, including Australian standards and separation of colour and leaf are being addressed, as these will require coordination throughout the entire industry.

The CCAA is now in the final stage of producing Best Management Practices (BMP) for all classing facilities in 2000, which we hope will enhance the transparency and repeatability of classing in Australia. This will set guidelines so all classers can conform to standard procedures and allow for future changes to be implemented through BMP.

The CCAA is an association comprised of all classers actually working for the cotton industry in Australia. Its aim is to promote uniformity in the classification of cotton for the best interests of the industry. This is done by holding a pre-season seminar to confirm classing methods and current standards so all classers are aware of their obligations for the coming season.

A post-season seminar reviews any problems which may have arisen so they may be addressed by the next year. To promote uniformity, the CCAA conducts fortnightly check tests for HVI and visual classing, in which all Australian classing offices participate. If a dispute does arise between a grower and merchant over the grade of any bales, the CCAA provides an independent process to review the classification.

Information submitted by Robert Baird. CEO Cotton Classers Association