Written question asked by Chris Pond (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 December 2002. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 December 2002 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, What measures her Department is taking to assist those employed in West African cocoa production. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Pond: :To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to assist those employed in West African cocoa production. [84710] Clare Short: It is imperative that we help producers in developing countries benefit from international trade, in order to facilitate economic growth and to help contribute to poverty reduction. Thus through the Doha Development Agenda agreed at the 4th WTO Ministerial in November 2001, the UK is arguing for significant reductions in trade distorting policies and greater access for developing country products to OECD markets, particularly for agricultural goods. At a country-specific level, the UK Government is providing direct support to West African Governments for the development of smallholder agriculture. Specifically in Ghana, the UK supports feeder roads construction in cocoa growing areas, which has restored access to markets and provided alternative short-term employment for farmers. The UK has also supported a fair trade initiative to market Ghanaian chocolate in the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 84710; 396 c339W
Session: 2002-03
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Agriculture Development aid Chocolate Farmers Trade Trade barriers West Africa Cocoa
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk