WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CFMC/21 
21 April 2009 
 
 (09-1924) 
  
  
 
DIRECTOR GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
 
Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. The attached Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Re forms has been prepared on the basis of the 
understanding amongst participants at the 9th Round of the DGCFMC.1  It will be subject to periodic 
updates. 
2. Domestic cotton sector reforms is a standing item on the agenda of the Director-General's 
Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGC FMC), from the start of the implementation of 
the mandate in 2004.  Under this item, the exch ange of views has deepened the constructive 
engagement and development dialogue between deve lopment partners (providers and recipients) on 
cotton development assistance.  The purpose of the information provided by beneficiaries of cotton 
development assistance on their domestic reform prior ities, in the attached Ta ble, is to identify the 
specific areas where assistance is urgently required from the development community on the basis of domestic reform priorities and/or action plans.  The understanding amongst participants in the 
DGCFMC is that the information provided under this item is valuable for both providers and 
recipients alike in relation to the efficiency in resource use and fostering th e partnership to enhance 
development assistance in the cotton sector. 
 
                                                     
 
1 TN/AG/SCC/W/9, 14 December 2007. This document has been prepa red under the Secretariat's own 
responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of Members 
and to their rights and obligations under the WTO  
  WT/CFMC/21 
Page 2  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Benin Decree No. 99-537 Transfer to the private sector of 
responsibility for consultations on the 
supply of inputs. 17 November 1999 To be notified by the cotton 
proponents Liberalization of the cotton 
sector 
Agricultural services 
restructuring 
 Decree No. 2000-294 Abolition of the monopoly on seed 
cotton marketing held by the National 
Company for Agricultural Promotion 
(SONAPRA). 23 June 2000  Liberalization of the inputs 
subsector 
Liberalization of the ginning 
subsector 
 Interministerial Order 
No. 2003-016/MICPE/MAEP/ 
MFE/DC/SG/DCCI Determination of the conditions for the 
importation and distribution of cotton 
inputs in Benin. 14 March 2003  Integrated and countrywide 
private sector 
 Interministerial Order 
No. 2003-022/MICPE/MAEP/ DC/SG/DCCI Organization of seed cotton marketing in 
the Republic of Benin. 7 May 2003  Transfer of responsibility for 
cotton sector management from the State to private players 
 Decree No. 2006-232 Definition of the institutional framework 
for the representation of cotton ginning 
companies within the cotton trade 
association. 18 May 2006   
 Decree No. 2006-233 Definition of the institutional framework 
for the representation of cotton input 
importers and distributors within the 
cotton trade association 18 May 2006   
 Decree No. 2006-234 Definition of the institutional framework 
for the representation of cotton 
producers within the cotton trade 
association. 
 18 May 2006   
                                                      
2 Title of legislative, executive, administrative act. 
3 Productivity expansion, training and capacity-building, regulatory reform, mechanization, warehousing, reform of ginning capac ity, value added in downstream 
product expansion, new agricultural technologies, research, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).  
   WT/CFMC/21
 Page 3 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Cotton sector revival plan, adopted in 
February 1995 and covering the 
period 1995/2001 Action plan involving the following: 
- Restructuring of village groups 
(GV) into cotton producer groups 
(GPC) with more transparent 
management; 
- Write-off of the external debt 
(estimated at CFAF 2.2 billion) 
incurred by the GV vis-à-vis  the 
Burkina Agricultural and 
Commercial Bank (BACB) and 
the national cotton company 
SOFITEX; 
- An increase in the price of seed 
cotton as a key element in 
boosting production; 
- Strengthening of SOFITEX's 
network of technical advisors 
with a view to curbing the decline 
in crop yield; 
- Expansion of crop growing to 
potential new production areas 
(50,000 hectares under 
consideration in the east and 
south of the country in the 
provinces of Sissili and Comoé).  1995-2001 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Enhancement of cotton sector 
competitiveness / 
capacity-building for producers 
/ cotton production revival Burkina Faso 
Signature on 22 February 1993 of a 
performance contract by the State and 
SOFITEX covering the 1992/1993, 
1993/1994 and 1994/1995 cotton 
seasons Redefinition of partnerships within the 
sector, using an "integrated sector 
approach" based on the following 
principles: 
- Connection between research and 
extension; 
- link between the granting of input 
credit and the marketing of seed 
cotton; 
- attribution to the cotton company 
of the exclusivity to purchase, 
balanced by the obligation to 
purchase, seed cotton; 1993-1995 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Beginning of State withdrawal 
from cotton sector management 
/ transfer of responsibility to 
cotton sector stakeholders 
 
  WT/CFMC/21 
Page 4  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
 - organization of producers into 
cotton producer groups (GPC), on 
a voluntary basis and backed by a 
joint guarantee, with a view to 
their involvement in input and 
credit distribution and the 
collection of seed cotton.    
Decision No. 98-001 of 15 April 1998 
establishing the National Union of 
Cotton Producers of Burkina Faso 
(UNPCB). Ratification of the decision of the 
Founding General Assembly of the 
National Union of Cotton Producers of 
Burkina Faso (UNPCB). 15 April 1998 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf Transfer of responsibility to, 
and professionalization of, 
sector actors 
Order 
No. 98-00013/AGRI/SG/DPLCLR of 
17 June 1998 Recognition of the National Union of 
Cotton Producers of Burkina Faso 
(UNPCB) by the administrative 
authority. 17 June 1998 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf Transfer of responsibility to, 
and professionalization of, 
sector actors 
Joint trade agreement signed on 22 February 1999 by SOFITEX and 
the National Union of Cotton 
Producers of Burkina Faso (UNPCB) Creation of a joint committee to 
manage the cotton sector and definition 
of the management procedures to be 
followed, in particular with regard to 
the mechanisms for fixing and 
regulating production prices. 22 February 1999 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Transfer of responsibility to, 
and professionalization of, 
sector actors 
Burkina Faso (cont'd) 
Order No. 99-071/MCIA/MA/MEF of 
25 November 1999 approving the 
joint trade agreement Recognition by the administrative 
authority of the joint trade agreement 
signed by SOFITEX and the National 
Union of Cotton Producers of Burkina 
Faso (UNPCB). 25 November 1999 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Transfer of responsibility to, 
and professionalization of, 
sector actors 
 
   WT/CFMC/21
 Page 5 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Decree No. 98-267/PRES/PM/MEF 
of 24 June 2008 authorizing the 
partial (30 per cent) opening of the 
capital of SOFITEX to cotton 
producer groups (GPC) Authorization to transfer 30 per cent of 
SOFITEX's capital to cotton producer 
groups. 24 June 2008 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf Introduction of producer 
shareholding 
Order 
No. 99 -021/MCIA/MEF/MAGRI of 
26 March 1999 setting forth the 
procedures for the transfer of 
State-held shares in SOFITEX to 
cotton producer groups Definition of transfer procedures. 23 Ma rch 1999 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Introduction of producer 
shareholding 
Decree No. 2001-763/PRES/PM/MCPEA/M
EF/AGRI of 31 December 2001 
amending Decree 
No. 79 248/PRES/DR of 
20 June 1979 Abolition of the monopoly held by 
SOFITEX on the collection and ginning 
of seed cotton and determination of the 
company’s area of activities. 31 December 2001 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf De-monopolization and 
liberalization of the sector 
Decree 
No. 2001 764/PRES/PM/MCPEA/M
EF/AGRI of 31 December 2001 
authorizing operators to set up in the 
new cotton-growing regions Definition of two (02) new cotton- 
growing areas, and authorization and 
establishment of procedures for private 
operators to set up in these areas. 31 December 2001 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf De-monopolization and 
liberalization of the sector on 
the basis of the "integrated 
sector approach" 
Burkina Faso (cont'd) 
Decree 
No. 2003-664/PRES/PMMCPEA/MA
HRH/MFB establishing a Permanent 
Secretariat for Monitoring the 
Liberalized Cotton Sector Creation of the Permanent Secretariat 
for Monitoring the Cotton Sector to 
oversee the efficient operation of the 
sector (compliance with terms and 
conditions) and to serve as the interface 
between the Government, the technical 
and financial partners, and cotton sector 
actors. As of November 2004 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf State monitoring of cotton 
sector operations 
 
  WT/CFMC/21 
Page 6  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Protocol of agreement of 
04 September 2004 setting out the 
terms and conditions applicable to 
operators in Burkina Faso's cotton 
sector Definition of the structure of Burkina 
Faso's cotton sector and establishment 
of the conditions applicable to, and 
procedures to be followed by, sector 
operators. 04 September 2004 Secrétariat Permanent du Suivi de la 
Filière Coton Libéralisée 
01 BP : 6453 Ouagadougou 01 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 38 82 
E-mail: spcoton@fasonet.bf Procedures for the liberalization 
of the cotton sector on the basis 
of the "integrated sector 
approach" 
Decision No. 2006-0001 of 
25 January 2006 establishing the 
Professional Association of Cotton 
Companies of Burkina Faso 
(APROCOB) Ratification of the decision of the 
Founding General Assembly of the 
Professional Association of Cotton 
Companies of Burkina Faso 
(APROCOB). 25 January 2006 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Organization and 
professionalization of the trade 
grouping of cotton companies 
Decision No. 2006-001 of 
10 February 2006 establishing the 
Cotton Trade Association of Burkina 
Faso (AICB) Ratification of the decision of the 
Founding General Assembly of the 
Cotton Trade Association of Burkina 
Faso (AICB). 10 February 2006 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Establishment of the Cotton 
Trade Association 
Decision No. 2006-001 of 
07 April 2006 adopting the seed 
cotton purchase price-smoothing 
mechanism Adoption of a mechanism for 
establishing the purchase price of seed 
cotton paid to producers, indexed to 
price trends on the international market 
and secured by a producer 
price-smoothing fund. 07 April 2006 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Rationalization of the 
determination of the purchase 
price paid to producers for seed 
cotton 
Law No. 005-2006 of 17 March 2006 on biotechnology safety in Burkina 
Faso Definition of the conditions for the use 
in Burkina Faso of genetically modified 
organisms (GMOs) and GMO-derived 
products. 17 March 2006 Agence Nationale de Biosécurité 
(ANB) 
Ouagadougou 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 37 88 49 Establishment of the legislative 
and regulatory framework 
governing biotechnological 
manipulation 
Burkina Faso (cont'd) 
Adoption of the joint trade agreement, 
amended on 23 November 2006     
 
   WT/CFMC/21
 Page 7 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Decision No. 2008-001 of 
04 April 2008 establishing the 
Price-Smoothing Fund Association 
(AFdL) Ratification of the decision of the 
Founding General Assembly of the 
Price-Smoothing Fund Association 
(AFdL). 04 April 2008 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Rationalization of the 
management of the purchase 
price paid to producers for seed 
cotton 
Adoption of transgenic technology 
through the introduction of the 
Monsanto Bollgard (BG) II gene 
known as "MON 15 995" into local 
cotton varieties of Burkina Faso - Experimentation in containment 
from 2003 to 2007 to study the 
performance of the Monsanto 
BG II gene "MON 15 995" in 
local cotton varieties; 
- experimentation in rural areas in 
2008 to study the performance of 
the Monsanto BG II gene 
"MON 15 995" in local cotton 
varieties; 
- production in Burkina Faso of 
seeds of local cotton varieties 
containing the Monsanto BG II 
gene "MON 15 995"; 
- gradual extension of local cotton 
varieties containing the Monsanto 
BG II gene "MON 15 995". 2003 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf 
 
Institut National des Recherches 
Agricoles  
04 BP 4645 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso  
Tel.: 50 34 63 43 
E-mail: konategnissa@yahoo.fr Enhancement of producer and 
cotton company revenues 
Burkina Faso 
(cont'd) 
Decision No. 2008-003 of 
20 September 2008 on the 
appointment of the Bank of Africa 
(BOA) as the agent bank for the 
price-smoothing fund for Burkina 
Faso's cotton sector  Ratification of the decision on the 
appointment of the Bank of Africa 
(BOA). 20 September 2008 Associa tion Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton du Burkina (AICB) 
01 BP 8091 Ouagadougou 04 
Burkina Faso 
Tel.: 50 34 15 33 
E-mail: yamgeorges@sofitex.bf Transparency in the 
management of the 
price-smoothing mechanism 
 Price-smoothing fund management 
contract signed by the 
Price-Smoothing Fund Association 
(AFdL) and the Bank of Africa 
(BOA) Signature on 4 November 2008 by the 
AFdL and the BOA of a contract 
establishing the details of 
BOA involvement and its relations with 
the AFdL. November 2008  Transparency in the 
management of the 
price-smoothing mechanism 
 
  WT/CFMC/21 
Page 8  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measure2 Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Priorities3 
         
Chad Decree No. 541/PR/MPEDC/99 A doption of the strategy document on 
cotton sector reform in Chad 31 December 1999 maismail@intnet.td Definition of the cotton sector 
reform strategy 
 Decree No. 720/PR/PM/SGG/CAB/05 A ppointment of the technical team 
responsible for implementing the road 
map for cotton sector reform 20 September 2005 maismail@intnet.td Implementation of the road map 
for cotton sector reform, as 
adopted by the Government 
(institutional reform)4 
 Order No. 001/MPEDC/2000 Creation of a task force responsible for 
implementing cotton sector reforms 17 January 2000 ctrc@intnet.td Delivery and coordination of 
capacity-building activities for 
cotton farmer associations 
 
__________  
  
    
 
    
 
     ____________________ 
2 Title of legislative, executive, administrative act. 
3 Productivity expansion, training and capacity-building, regulatory reform, mechanization, warehousing, reform of ginning capaci ty, value added in downstream product 
expansion, new agricultural technologies, res earch, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). 
4 The project in support of the technical t eam responsible for implementing the road map for cotton sector reform was discontinue d after two years, in December 2008.