Written question asked by Mark Simmonds (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 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 has been made of the viability of aerial crop spraying on areas of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan; and what impact this is likely to have on (a) the environment, (b) human health and (c) animal health.

Answer: Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the viability of aerial crop spraying on areas of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan; and what impact this is likely to have on (a) the environment, (b) human health and (c) animal health. [196425] Mr. Rammell: The UK supports the Afghan Government's National Drug Control Strategy. The viability of aerial eradication of the opium poppy crop is a matter for the Afghan Government. There are a number of issues to consider before a country decides to go down this path.

Secondary information