It also turned out that one third of the dairies had not yet existed for two full years. Often the dairies had been set up with the support of aid programmes for farmers’ organisations, but had then been left on their own without any further assistance.

In the informal discussion that followed, it became clear that the number one enemy of these dairies was the presence of milk powder, especially in the industrial format of 25kg bags. The first to point a finger to the damage caused by milk powder was the delegate from the dairy unit in Bittou and then all other speakers ended by the same words:

Let us unite and chase away milk powder

Once more it became obvious that the absence of a genuine agricultural policy, worthy of its name, is cruelly felt in Burkina Faso. Programmes succeed each other without any comprehensive policy framework and without any protection.

On the last day participants agreed on an action plan and a timetable for the setting up of a union of mini-dairies. Five representatives were selected to make sure that a constituent assembly be organised before June 2007. The terms on which dairies may join are yet to be determined. During the discussion on candidates for the steering committee, it appeared that the group was heading for a union of small dairies which process local milk (with the exclusion of formula milk made from powder) and which buy fresh milk locally from small-scale cattle farmers. This, however, should not bar them from also turning to larger, “modern” farms – that is to economic operators having invested in the sector.

Many would have wished to start a lobbying campaign right away for the protection of local milk by import taxes. Others said that it was necessary to start action immediately to ensure that milk would be recognised as a “sensitive product” by the ECOWAS Committee in charge of negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.

At the moment of parting, all mentioned their joy in feeling less isolated. All shared the same wish: that the meeting would not turn out to be yet another workshop (with no follow up), but the beginning of a process that would give rise to a strong and dynamic organisation, capable of defending the interests of owners of small herds and local dairies.

Please note - This week you will also find three articles on cotton on our web-site: go to Agitation autour du coton, mais peu d’espoir pour le coton africain!

Koudougou, March 23^rd 2007

Maurice Oudet

Director, SEDELAN