EU accession to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Fernando RUAS (EPP, PT) on the draft Council decision on the accession of the European Union to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

As a reminder, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) assists governments in promoting a sound and better informed world cotton economy by improving transparency in world cotton market, raising awareness for new challenges or problems, fostering international cooperation, gathering statistical data, providing technical information and forecasts.

Convinced that it is in the best interests of the EU as a whole to accede to the ICAC, the committee urged the European Parliament to support EU accession to this international body in order to give the EU an active role in within the ICAC.

Members recalled that in Parliament’s resolution of 14 March 2013 on sustainability in the global cotton value chain, Parliament underlined the need work together through the ICAC in order drastically to minimise environmental degradation, including water footprints and the use of pesticides and insecticides.

Members also called on the Commission to improve transparency measures, in particular with a view to reacting to excessive price volatility and ensuring that the voices of European cotton growers, ginners, traders and researchers are heard.

They, therefore, called on Parliament to accede to the ICAC.