Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 February 2002. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 February 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, when he anticipates the evaluation of the fungus, pleospora papaveracea, will be communicated to him by the United Nations Drugs Control Project; whether it is being used prior to the communication of the research results; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he anticipates the evaluation of the fungus, pleospora papaveracea, will be communicated to him by the United Nations Drugs Control Project; whether it is being used prior to the communication of the research results; and if he will make a statement. [34896] Mr. MacShane: It is expected that the research, set up by the UNDCP in 1998, to establish the potential of pleospora papaveracea as an opium poppy control agent will not be evaluated until later this year. Pleospora, which is a naturally occurring fungus, has not been used as a means of eradicating poppy cultivation. The research programme ended in the summer of 2001.

Secondary information