Fifteen delegates from the U.S. cotton industry have been named to the inaugural Board of Directors for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

The Trust Protocol is a new standard developed to help the U.S. cotton production sector further reduce its footprint by enabling producers to assess their performance against specific sustainability goals. Using robust data inputs, the program will add confidence throughout the supply chain and position U.S. cotton as the responsible choice for mills and retailers.

“We are proud to announce the appointment of the Trust Protocol’s first-ever board of directors,” said Ken Burton, Trust Protocol executive director. “This group of individuals bring unmatched expertise within the cotton industry, a thorough understanding of the sustainability challenges facing the textile industry and experience within the retail sector. Working together, the Board will ensure the Protocol will meet sustainability requirements throughout the supply chain and provide an unmatched level of transparency and accountability.”

The appointees include delegates from across the entire supply chain, leading industry, scientific and academic experts, as well as representatives from world-renowned environmental organizations:

•  Producers – Matt Coley (GA); Ted Schneider (LA); Shawn Holladay (TX); Aaron Barcellos (CA)
•  Ginner – David Blakemore (MO)
•  Marketing Cooperative – Hank Reichle (MS)
•  Merchant – Steve Dyer (TN)
•  Cottonseed – Fred Serven (TN)
•  Manufacturer – Jim Martin (NC)
•  Brands/Retailers – Liza Schillo (Levi Strauss & Co.) and Joe Little (Tesco)
•  Other Members – Suzy Friedman (Environmental Defense Fund); Melissa Ho (World Wildlife Fund); Marty Matlock (University of Arkansas); Garry Bell (formerly with Gildan).

Trust Protocol advisors include Jesse Daystar, Cotton Incorporated; Andy Jordan, Jordan Consulting; Marc Lewkowitz, Supima; Mark Pryor, The Seam; and Mike Quinn, Frontier Spinning Mills.

The directors will govern the Trust Protocol’s mission of meeting U.S. cotton customers’ sustainability needs and providing transparency on cotton industry efforts to promote farmer economic livelihood, environmental stewardship, caring of people and community, and personal and corporate integrity.

After initiation of a pilot earlier this year, full implementation is scheduled for 2020 for the Trust Protocol, which is aimed at helping U.S. cotton achieve stated national sustainability goals by 2025:

•    13% Increase in productivity, i.e. reduced land use per pound of fiber
• 18% Increase in irrigation efficiency
• 39% Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• 15% Reduction in energy expenditures
• 50% Reduction in soil loss
•    30% Increase in soil carbon.