Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 January 2005. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make a statement on his policy towards funding crop sprayer aircraft in support of the Afghan Government's poppy eradication programme.

Answer: Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his policy towards funding crop sprayer aircraft in support of the Afghan Government's poppy eradication programme. [207097] Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Government of Afghanistan's stated policy is not to use aerial methods to eradicate opium poppy crops. DFID supports this policy position and have no intention of using DFID funds to support aerial crop spraying in any form. DFID does, though, provide significant assistance to the counter narcotics effort in Afghanistan, mainly through our support to the provision of alternative livelihoods.

Secondary information