Written question asked by George Mudie (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 November 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What assessment he has made of the change in levels of poppy farming in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban regime. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Mudie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the change in levels of poppy farming since the overthrow of the Taliban regime. [77190] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK contributes funds to the opium poppy survey in Afghanistan conducted by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. It reported on 25 October that poppy cultivation in 2002 was 74,000 hectares. This is more than in 2001, but significantly less than the record level in 1999 when 91,583 hectares were cultivated.

Secondary information