Written question asked by Mark Simmonds (Conservative) on Monday, 27 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 June 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 4 July 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Peru

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects on counter-narcotics strategies of the lifting of the by-law in the Cusco region of Peru legalising the growth of coca; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Peruvian Government reacted strongly to the recent announcement by the Regional President of Cusco to legalise coca cultivation in certain districts in the Department of Cusco. Although the Peruvian Prime Minister and the Regional President of Cusco have since come to an agreement not to expand legal coca cultivation in the Department of Cusco, we share the Peruvian Government's concern over the message which this announcement conveys about drugs misuse. We continue to co-operate closely with the Peruvian Government and other international partners to tackle drug trafficking from the region.

Secondary information