Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Neville-Jones (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 February 2011.

Bolivia: Drugs

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in relation to narcotics policy, they regard the chewing of coca leaves separately from the illegal processing of coca into cocaine.

Answer: The Government believe that there is a strong link between the cultivation of coca for traditional purposes and the cultivation of coca for the cocaine trade. For example, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Coca Survey 2009, only 39 per cent (12,000 hectares) of total Bolivian coca production is permitted by Bolivian authorities, and this is against the background of the permitting of any coca production being at variance with its obligations under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961. The 12,000 hectares are said to be for the production of coca for traditional uses, including chewing, medicines and tea. It was stated by the Bolivian Government in January 2011 that at least 20 per cent of coca produced from within this 12,000 hectares had been diverted from officially controlled coca markets to the drugs trade. Much of the remaining 61 per cent of the total production also services the cocaine trade.

Secondary information