WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1 
12 May 2010 
 (10-2751) 
  
  
 
DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
 
Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms
 
 
Revision  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 has been a standing item on the agenda of the 
Director-General's Consultative Framework Mechan ism on Cotton (DGCFMC) from the start of the 
implementation of the mandate in 2004.  Under this  item, the exchange of views has deepened the 
constructive engagement and deve lopment dialogue between developm ent partners (providers and 
recipients) on cotton development assistance.  The purpose of the information provided by 
beneficiaries of cotton development assistance on th eir domestic reform priorities, in the attached 
Table, is to identify the specific areas where assi stance is urgently required from the development 
community on the basis of domestic reform prior ities and/or action plans.  The understanding amongst 
participants in the DGCFMC is that the informa tion provided under this item is valuable for both 
providers and recipients alike in relation to prom oting efficiency in resource use and fostering the 
partnership to enhance development assistance in the cotton sector. 
 
                                                      
1 TN/AG/SCC/W/9, 14 December 2007. This document has been pre pared 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/Rev.1 
Page 2  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
Benin Creation of the Cotton Trade 
Association. Framework for consultation between 
branches and representation of private 
operators in Benin's cotton sector. 25 October 1999 Associati on Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Cornerstone of the 
implementation of reforms in 
Benin's cotton sector. 
 Decree No. 99-537 Transfer to the private sector of 
responsibility for consultations on the 
supply of inputs. 17 November 1999 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj 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 Centrale de Sécurisation des 
Paiements et de Recouvrement 
01 BP 343 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 92 92 
E-mail:  cspr@intnet.bj Liberalization of the inputs 
subsector. 
Liberalization of the ginning 
subsector. 
 Creation of the Agency for 
Guaranteeing Payment and Collection 
(CSPR). Management of the physical and 
financial flows related to the cotton 
sector. 26 October 2000 Centrale de Sécurisation des 
Paiements et de Recouvrement 
01 BP 343 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 92 92 
E-mail:  cspr@intnet.bj Invoicing of ginning factories.  
Recovery of input credit.  
Reimbursement of distributors 
and payment of producers. 
 Decree No. 2002-302 Ratification of Credit Agreement 
No. 3598 BEN signed on 
15 February 2002 between the Republic of Benin and the International 
Development Association in the 
context of the financing of the support 
project for the reform of the cotton 
sector. 11 July 2002 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Support for the Beninese State, 
the technical bodies of the 
Cotton Trade Association and producers with regard to 
implementation of the reforms. 
 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 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Integrated and countrywide 
private sector.  
   WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1
 Page 3 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Interministerial Order No. 2003-022/ 
MICPE/MAEP/MFE/DC/SG/DCCI Organization of seed cotton marketing 
in the Republic of Benin. 7 May 2003 Centrale de Sécurisation des 
Paiements et de Recouvrement 
01 BP 343 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 92 92 
E-mail:  cspr@intnet.bj Transfer of responsibility for 
cotton sector management from 
the State to private operators.  
Marketing season subject to the 
Agency for Guaranteeing 
Payment and Collection (CSPR) 
mechanism. 
 Interministerial Order No. 2004-033/ 
MICPE/MAEP/MFE/DC/SG/DCCI Transitional provisions for the 
importation and distribution of cotton 
inputs during the 2004/2005 season. 27 May 2004 Conseil National des Importateurs et 
Distributeurs d'Intrants Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Participation of all distributors 
in the crop season. 
Accreditation of distributors of 
inputs for a duration of 
five years from the 2005/2006 
season. 
 Interministerial Order No. 2005-033/ 
MICPE/MAEP/MFE/DC/SG/DCCI/
DCE Determination of the conditions for the 
importation and distribution of cotton 
inputs during the exceptional 
2005/2006 season in the Republic of 
Benin. 31 March 2005 Conseil Nationa l des Importateurs et 
Distributeurs d'Intrants Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Integrated and countrywide 
private sector. 
 Decree No. 2006-232 Definition of the institutional 
framework for the representation of 
cotton ginning companies within the 
Cotton Trade Association. 18 May 2006 Conseil National des Egreneurs de 
Coton 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 91 20 
E-mail:  Ibeco@intnet.bj Transfer of responsibility for 
cotton sector management from 
the State to private operators.  
Creation of an exclusive 
framework for representation 
based on objective criteria. 
 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 Conseil National des Importateurs et 
Distributeurs d'Intrants Coton 061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Transfer of responsibility for 
cotton sector management from the State to private operators.  
Creation of an exclusive 
framework for representation 
based on objective criteria. 
 Decree No. 2006-234 Definition of the institutional 
framework for the representation of 
cotton producers within the Cotton 
Trade Association. 18 May 2006 Conseil National des Producteurs de 
Coton 
02 BP 92 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  23 61 41 90;  23 10 04 82 
E-mail:  cnpcben@yahoo.fr Transfer of responsibility for 
cotton sector management from 
the State to private operators.  
Creation of an exclusive 
framework for representation 
based on objective criteria.  
  WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1 
Page 4  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Decree No. 2006-290 Determination of the conditions for the 
importation and distribution of cotton 
inputs and conditions for the marketing 
of seed cotton during the 2006/2007 
season. 22 June 2006 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Integrated and countrywide 
private sector. 
 Decree No. 2007-238 Definition and organization of the 
transitional management framework for 
the cotton sector. 31 May 2007 Ministère de l'Agriculture, de 
l'Élevage et de la Pêche 
03 BP 2900 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 30 04 10;  21 30 04 96 
Fax:  21 30 03 26  
 Ministerial Order No. 2007-0386/ 
MAEP/D-CAB/SGM/DRH Creation, responsibilities, composition 
and functioning of the Commission 
responsible for organizing the call for 
tenders for the importation and 
distribution of cotton inputs for the 
2008/2009 season. 12 November 2007 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Supplying producers with 
quality products on a timely 
basis. 
 Ministerial Order No. 2007-0387/ 
MAEP/D-CAB/SGM/DRH/SA. Creation, responsibilities, composition 
and functioning of the Commission 
responsible for defining the general 
framework for the supply of cotton 
inputs to producers. 12 November 2007 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Supplying producers with 
quality products on a timely 
basis. 
 Decree No. 2008-561 Creation of the Cotton Development 
Company (SODECO). 7 October 2008 SODECO 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 30 95 11;  21 30 94 41 Transfer of the industrial 
operations of the National 
Company for Agricultural Promotion (SONAPRA). 
 New comprehensive approach for the 
development of Benin's cotton sector. General policy document on the 
development of the cotton sector. 28 December 2008 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Implementation of the policy 
from January 2009 through the 
Project to improve and boost 
the cotton sector in Benin. 
 Framework Agreement between the 
State and the Cotton Trade 
Association. Clarification of the roles and 
responsibilities of the State and the 
private sector in the management of the 
cotton sector. 7 January 2009 Association Interprofessionnelle du 
Coton 
061 BP 18 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  21 33 97 16 
E-mail:  aic@intnet.bj Joint management of the sector 
in the context of a 
public-private partnership.  
   WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1
 Page 5 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Decree No. 2009-099 Amendm ent to Decree No. 2006-234 
defining the institutional framework for 
the representation of cotton producers 
within the Cotton Trade Association. 3 April 2009 Conseil National des Producteurs de 
Coton 
02 BP 92 
Cotonou, Benin 
Tel.:  23 61 41 90;  23 10 04 82 
E-mail:  cnpcben@yahoo.fr Limitation of the mandate of 
council members to a 
non-renewable two-year term.  
Effective implementation since 
April 2009. 
Burkina Faso 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. 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. 
 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. 
 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.  
  WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1 
Page 6  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Decree No. 2001-763/PRES/PM/ 
MCPEA/MEF/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/MEF/A
GRI of 31 December 2001 
authorizing operators to set up in the 
new cotton-growing regions Definition of two (2) 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. 
 Protocol of agreement of 
4 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. 4 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. 
 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. 
 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.  
   WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1
 Page 7 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Decision No. 2006-001* of 
7 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. 7 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. 
 Decision No. 2008-001 of 
4 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). 4 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. 
 Decree No. 98-267/PRES/PM/MEF 
of 24 June 2008 authorizing the 
partial (30%) opening of the capital 
of SOFITEX to cotton producer 
groups (GPC). Authorization to transfer 30% 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. 
 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".  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. 
 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.  
  WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1 
Page 8  
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
Cotton 
Proponents Measurea Description Implementation 
Status/Period Focal Point  Reform Prioritiesb 
 Price-smoothing fund management 
contract signed by the 
Price-Smoothing Fund Association 
(AFdL) and the Bank of Africa 
(BOA). Signature in 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 Association 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. 
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 Appointment 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).c 
 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. 
 
__________  
 
 
                                                      
a Title of legislative, executive, administrative act. 
b 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). 
c The project in support of the technical team responsible for implementing the road map for cotton sector reform was discontinu ed after two years,  in December 2008. 
* The Burkina Faso authorities are to provide further details concerning the numbering of these decisions.