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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the results of the United Nations 2004 coca survey in (a) Colombia, (b) Peru and (c) Bolivia; and what changes have taken place in the location of coca cultivation in each country. [181543] Mr. Rammell: The United Nations 2004 coca surveys for Colombia, Peru and Bolivia show that the total area in the three countries that is used for coca production fell by 11 per cent. in 2003 compared to 2002. In Colombia, the area under cultivation is shown to have fallen by 16 per cent. However, it is difficult to judge what impact these falls in the area cultivated may have had on the overall production of cocaine because, as the surveys point out, it is unclear whether crop yields per hectare are rising or falling. There has been little change in the location of coca cultivation in Peru. In Colombia, cultivation has fallen markedly in Putumayo and Guivare departments but risen in Narino and Meta departments. In Bolivia cultivation has fallen in the Chapare area but has seen an increase in the Yungas of La Paz.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

181543; 423 c766-7W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Drugs Location Production Colombia Bolivia South America Peru Coca

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk