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Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 April 2011.


Afghanistan: Opiate Poppy Production

Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the coalition strategy in Afghanistan includes trials of legal opiate poppy production.
Answer

Neither the UK nor its coalition partners have plans to trial legal opiate poppy production in Afghanistan. This is because the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) report of 2010 stated that the planned production of licit opiates in licensed countries for 2011 will be sufficient to cover medical demands during the year and increase stocks. Additionally, the Afghan Government accept that they do not have the capacity to administer a licit cultivation scheme. There is a high chance that any licit cultivation of poppy would be diverted for illicit purposes. Furthermore, Afghan opium would not be economically competitive in the global market place.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8278; 727 c117-8WA
Session
2010-12
Subjects
Crops Afghanistan Opium Opioids
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk