L

Lord Rooker (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 24 April 2025

Debate

Government Supply Chains: Cotton

Contribution

I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer, but is she aware that 22% of the world’s raw cotton is grown in the Xinjiang region of China? China is a world leader in hiding supply chains to obscure the supply. In some countries, half of their cotton products are actually made from cotton grown in Xinjiang. Why have both Governments stuck to paper-based tracing systems and the word of traders when it is possible to use forensic element analysis of products to find out which region they were grown in? We have been taken for a ride by China in this respect, because we are not using modern technology. If it is good enough not to buy solar panels from Xinjiang, it is damn well good enough not to wear cotton products made from cotton grown by slave labour.

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