Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 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 strategy his Department plans to use to tackle opium in Afghanistan. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 9 November 2004).

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what strategy his Department plans to use to tackle opium in Afghanistan. [196445] Mr. Rammell: [holding answer 9 November 2004]: The UK, as lead nation is committed to supporting the Afghan Government in the implementation of their comprehensive National Drug Control Strategy. As well as co-ordinating the activity of international partners, we are providing substantial--spending more than £70 million over three years in support of the strategy as well as providing significant funding for alternative livelihoods. Our work is focusing on: providing poppy farmers with alternative livelihoods; targeted eradication campaigns; law enforcement and interdiction; a fast track counter narcotics element in the developing criminal justice system; drug demand reduction and an information campaign to alert farmers to the illegality and risks of poppy cultivation and to raise drug awareness.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 196445; 426 c718W;426 c722W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Crime prevention Crops Development aid Drugs Farmers Afghanistan Opium
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk