The task force was created on November 19 to work on "all trade-distorting policies affecting the sector", in all three key areas of the Doha agriculture talks: market access, domestic support and export competition. Its members will push for a Doha agreement ensuring that any liberalisation of the world cotton trade favours the development of production in developing countries. This is likely to involve the scrapping of production supports and export subsidies in rich countries and their retention - at least temporarily - in poor countries. The sub-committee will draw up detailed proposals on cotton for incorporation in a Doha deal and ensure that the issue is handled "ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically", within the talks. It was established following pressure from West African cotton producers Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali.
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