Allan Williams: In the Supply Chain, Perception is Everything
February 14, 2013 
In today’s changing world, being “green” is more important than ever to consumers. Allan Williams, chairman of the Expert Panel on Social Economic and Environmental Performance (SEEP), program manager at the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and speaker at the 2013 Cotton International Global Summit, sees cotton’s perceived environmental impact throughout the supply chain as a necessary source of concern for industry professionals. Discussing how his organizations are contributing to the betterment of this image and the need to band together to improve as a whole, Williams sits down with Cotton International for two critical questions.
What environmental and public image issues do you see the cotton industry facing and how can we overcome them?
At the Cotton International Global Summit, will discuss some ideas on what the cotton industry can do to improve its environmental performance at the farm level, and how this links to public perceptions about the environmental sustainability of cotton farming. This is critically important to the cotton industry as there is increasing pressure on the industry, from the retail end of the supply chain, to more formally demonstrate sustainability credentials. The long supply chain between farm and retail store however presents some challenges for demonstrating efforts and improvements in the sustainability of cotton farming, for example: how to do this cost-effectively along the entire chain, and how responsibility and value is shared amongst the range of supply actors. A collaborative effort is one means to address these two challenges.
What have been some of SEEP’s influences and focuses in recent years?
A major constraint to demonstrating environmental improvement is the availability of data, and the need for dedicated resources to collect and analyse it. The purpose of SEEP’s existence includes providing the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) with objective, science-based information on the negative and positive social, environmental, and economic aspects of global cotton production, and making recommendations for further action as appropriate to improve the social, environmental, and economic performance of the cotton industry. To this end, SEEP has collected and analysed trends in pesticide use, and is currently investigating the range indicators that could be used to assess improvements in the sustainability of cotton farming, with a view to identifying a core set of potential Key Performance Indicators for cotton production.
To hear more from Williams and many others industry thought leaders, click here to register for the Cotton International Global Summit.
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