WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CFMC/W/11 
11 April 2008 
 
 (08-1684) 
 Original:   French 
  
DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
 
Cotton Projects
1 
 
Communication from Benin 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 22 November 2004, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Benin.  
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PROJECT N° 11 - USE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED VARIETIES IN BENINESE 
COTTON PRODUCTION:  IMPACT STUDIES AND CREATION OF A 
GENETIC TRANSFORMATION LABORATORY 
 
 
A. J
USTIFICATION  
1. The cotton plants cultivated today throughout the world have a relatively narrow genetic base.  
For several decades now, genetic progress has stagnate d, particularly as regards improving yield and 
resistance to insects.  Today, genetic transf ormation has opened up possibilities for broadening the 
genetic base of the species cultivated  by the direct transfer of gene s either from wild species, which, 
owing to compatibility problems, are often impossible to cross with cultivated species, or from animal 
species, since it is possible, through this technolog y, to transcend the barriers between the animal and 
plant kingdoms.  Obviously, while this technology raises considerable hope, it is also a source of 
concern.  The fact that it is still the subject of c ontroversy in the developed countries strengthens the 
reluctance of the developing countries.  But since it is inevitably research th at leads the way towards 
any new technologies, we must develop our national expe rtise in this particular technology in order to 
be able to participate in the debate and to draw from it any elements of interest for our agriculture.  
This is something that many African countries,  including Sub-Saharan countries, have recently 
understood and reacted to by embarking on programmes for the study of genetically modified cotton.  
Mali and Burkina Faso, for example, have introduced  such programmes over the past few years.  If 
Benin is to shed the role of the eternal consumer incapable of participating in any of the important 
cotton biotechnology debates, it is in its interest to join the general movement. 
B. OBJECTIVES  
(a) To develop national expertise on cotton biotechnology; 
(b) to understand the impact on the cotton sub- sector of using transformed varieties, and 
the risks for the environment; 
                                                      
1 This project was distributed amongst the Development Community by e-mail on 18 August 2005. WT/CFMC/W/11 
Page 2  
 
  (c) to assess the efficiency of transgenic co tton (Bt cotton, Vip cotton and others); 
(d) to carry out a series of backcrosses in order to transfer the transgenic characteristics 
to one or two efficient local varieties with a view to improving yield while at the same time reducing the use of pesticides; 
(e) to broaden the genetic base of the species Gossypium hirsutum  L by transferring 
genes of interest; 
(f) to reduce the negative impact of the use of pesticides on human beings and the 
environment;  and 
(g) through these research activities, to strengthe n the scientific and technical capacity of 
the CRA-CF varietal creation programme. 
C. D
ESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES  
(a) Development of a regulatory framework for the introduction and manipulation of 
genetically modified organisms; 
(b) environmental impact study on genetically modified cotton (for example, possibility 
of spontaneous hybridization with related species where they exist, which implies 
surveys and relationship studies, etc.); 
(c) creation of a molecular biology laboratory; 
(d) assessment of the performance of transformed varieties; 
(e) research on genes that resist the main cotton pests. 
D. EXPECTED RESULTS  
(a) Regulation in Benin of the manipulation of genetically modified organisms; 
(b) demonstration of the advantages and disa dvantages of genetically modified cotton 
plants for the Beninese cotton sub-sector; 
(c) determination of the transgenic varieti es, among those currently marketed in the 
world, most suitable for pest control in the agro-ecological conditions prevailing in 
Benin; 
(d) development and evaluation of isogenous stra ins of the most efficient local varieties 
with transgenes of interest;  and 
(e) development of national expertise and labor atories in the cotton biotechnology area.  WT/CFMC/W/11 
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  E. COST:  CFA Francs 2,000,000,000. 
F. DURATION :  five years for the first phase. 
G. LOCATION :  northern branch of the CRA-CF in Parakou. 
H. PARTNERS :  INRAB,  CRA-CF,  AIC,  FUPRO,  CARDER,  DIFOV,  DPQC,  University of 
Abomey Calavi,  CIRAD,  DAGRIS. 
 
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