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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the measures to curb heroin production in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to 29 November 2004, 428 c17WS.

Asked by

Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 December 2004

Reference

200028; 428 c1393W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Department's strategy is for reducing the supply of opium from Afghanistan. - Inc ref to 29 November 2 004, 428 c17-18WS, on Afghanistan: Counter Narcotics.

Asked by

David Drew (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 December 2004

Reference

203741; 428 c1060W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of how much heroin was produced in Afghanistan in each of the last three years; how much of that was exported to the UK in each year; what estimate he has made of each...

Asked by

Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

23 November 2004

For answer on

13 December 2004

Answered on

13 December 2004

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of how much heroin was produced in Afghanistan in each of the last three years; how much of that was exported to the UK in each year; what estimate he has made of each figure for the current year; and if he will make a statement. [200029] Mr. Rammell: The UK, as lead nation, is committed to supporting the Afghan Government in the implementation of their comprehensive National Drug Control Strategy. I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement I made on Afghanistan: Counter Narcotics on 29 November 2004, Official Report, columns 17-18WS. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. According to the survey, the potential opium production in each of the last three years was estimated as follows: tonnes _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Production 2001 185 2002 3,400 2003 3,600 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The low tonnage in 2001 followed the highest ever recorded production figure in 1999 of 4,600 tonnes and 3,300 tonnes in 2000. In 2001, the Taliban banned cultivation. This ban was enforced with a combination of fear and bribery. It drove up the price of opium and the drug trade profited from increased prices for supplies from opium stockpiles. There are no reliable figures as to how much of that opium is processed into heroin within Afghanistan. Results of this year's survey showed that potential opium production was 4,200 tonnes. We estimate that approximately 25 to 30 tonnes a year of heroin is smuggled into the UK, that over 95 per cent. originated from Afghanistan and that it would require some 250 to 300 tonnes of opium to produce this amount of heroin. Working to eliminate opium production is vital for Afghanistan's future. As the UN survey makes clear, the challenge is substantial and complex.

Date

13 December 2004

Reference

200029; 428 c891-2W

House

House of Commons

Lords Written Statement on publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Afghanistan opium survey 2004

Lords Written Statement on publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Afghanistan opium survey 2004. (Inc figs).

Member

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean (Labour)

Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written statements

Date

29 November 2004

Reference

667 c13WS

House

House of Lords

Written Statement on publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Afghanistan opium survey 2004

Written Statement on publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Afghanistan opium survey 2004. (Inc figs).

Member

Bill Rammell (Labour)

Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written statements

Date

29 November 2004

Reference

428 c17-8WS

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many poppy fields have been (a) identified and (b) destroyed by UK forces in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 November 2004

Reference

196426; 426 c1776-7W;426 c1780-1W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Government of Afghanistan and (b) the United Nations on the production of heroin in Afghanistan. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Bill Wiggin (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

9 November 2004

For answer on

17 November 2004

Answered on

17 November 2004

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Government of Afghanistan and (b) the United Nations on the production of heroin in Afghanistan. [197802] Mr. Gareth Thomas: Opium poppy cultivation is s a growing and complex problem in Afghanistan. It is widely expected that the United Nations office of Drug Control and Crime (UNODC) 2004 poppy survey will show a substantial increase in poppy cultivation and opium production from the previous year. Many Afghan farmers are locked into growing opium poppy as the only means of repaying debts, accessing land, earning cash income and providing security for themselves and their families. To promote the availability of alternative livelihoods and rural development in Afghanistan, DFID is supporting a number of initiatives through individual funded projects and support for Afghan Government and United Nations programmes. The UK is lead nation on counter-narcotics and we provide significant support to the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy. DFID has lead responsibility for the alternative livelihoods component and plan to increase our commitment from the current level of £5.5million per year to £20 million in 2005-06. The support of the international community and strong ownership and lead from the Afghan Government will be crucial to achieving future reductions in opium poppy cultivation. DFID continues to participate in discussions with the Government of Afghanistan on the institutional arrangements for implementing the National Drug Control Strategy, including the establishment of a Counter-narcotics Ministry, an accelerated programme to pilot comprehensive development and counter- narcotics law enforcement in key provinces, tackling the opium debt problem and on how to make national development more effective in creating sustainable and attractive alternative livelihood opportunities. An example of the key role DFID is playing is the way we are working with the Afghan Government and International donor community to help communities develop their own livelihoods through the Afghan National Solidarity Programme. To date, the programme has provided US$36 million to 3,775 village development projects. In the Yakdharu village in the Badakhshan province, for example, democratically elected development councils agreed to spend the grant provided through the National Solidarity Programme on establishing micro-hydro electric power from the village stream. As a result the villagers now have an asset that provides sustainable electricity to the whole community and a surplus to supply surrounding villages, generating an additional income for the community. The success of this project has encouraged the community to invest their own money into other infrastructure projects and a seed bank using the community development council mechanism. DFID has committed £13 million to the National Solidarity Programme, which is planned to cover all 20,000 villages in Afghanistan by 2007. To ensure the Afghan Government can effectively manage development in the province, DFID has provided £20 million funding to the Afghanistan Stabilisation Programme, which is developing links between the central Government and the provinces as well as strengthening the capacity of provincial and district public administration. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, who are also engaged in discussions on ensuring that counter-narcotics issues are addressed in Afghan Government and donor programmes and provincial piloting. DFID has recently approved an Alternative Agricultural Livelihoods Programme with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); budgeted at £3.8million over 2.5 years, and we are also in regular dialogue with the FAO on the implementation of this programme. DFID is also in contact with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), all of which have programmes related to alternative livelihoods, for example through labour-intensive public works or private sector development. DFID has regular contacts with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) on a number of issues, including drug production.

Date

17 November 2004

Reference

197802; 426 c1516-8W;426 c1520-2W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 November 2004

Reference

196425; 426 c1057W;426 c1061W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he next expects to publish figures for the poppy harvest in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Harry Cohen (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 November 2004

Reference

197619; 426 c1057W;426 c1061W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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).

Asked by

Jim Cunningham (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 November 2004

Reference

196445; 426 c718W;426 c722W

House

House of Commons

Symons of Vernham Dean, Baroness

What was the estimated value of the opium economy in Afghanistan in 2003; what initiatives the Government have taken to help reduce the cultivation, processing and trade in drugs during 2004; and what reduction in the 2003 figure they expect will be achieved in 2004 and 2005 respectively. [HL 4696]....

Asked by

Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

10 November 2004

Reference

HL 4696; 666 c79-80WA

House

House of Lords

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the 2004 Afghanistan Opium Survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (Failed OPQ)

Asked by

David Cairns (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

9 November 2004

Reference

426 c626W;426 c627W; 196803

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions have taken place between US and UK counter-narcotics officials in Afghanistan regarding the prioritisation of resources for (a) eradicating poppy cultivation and (b) providing alternative livelihoods for Afghan farmers.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

9 November 2004

Reference

196262; 426 c626-7W;426 c627W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many successful counter-narcotics operations there have been in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

9 November 2004

Reference

196424; 426 c627W;426 c627-8W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment has been made of viable crop alternatives to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan; and whether alternative crops would be predominantly (a) supplied to domestic markets and (b) exported.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

2 November 2004

For answer on

8 November 2004

Answered on

8 November 2004

Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment has been made of viable crop alternatives to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan; and whether alternative crops would be predominantly (a) supplied to domestic markets and (b) exported. [196264] Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development is funding practical research into alternative ways for those cultivating the opium poppy production to earn a living. This research is generating a variety of alternative and improved products to supply both the domestic and export markets. DFID has established a Research in Alternative Livelihoods Fund for Afghanistan. The fund is providing £3 million over three years for applied research into natural resource-based livelihoods, including crops, livestock, natural products, post- harvest processing and rural services. The fund is presently supporting seven projects. Three projects aim to identify local, national and international market opportunities for alternative crop varieties and test a variety of agro enterprises and marketing strategies including an organic export feasibility study. Other projects include improved forage and milk production and the introduction of legumes and vegetable crops as viable alternatives to opium poppy cultivation. DFID is also funding the development of viable crop alternatives to poppy cultivation in Badakhshan. This includes the establishment of nurseries and greenhouses for fruit and vegetable production, apricot drying, honey bee keeping, poultry farms, cashmere and silk production and a tthan-weaving programme.

Date

8 November 2004

Reference

196264; 426 c477W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the expected crop of opium poppies in Afghanistan in 2004 is, expressed in (a) area of land cultivated and (b) tonnes of opium produced.

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

1 November 2004

Reference

194268; 426 c71W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps have been taken to encourage Afghan farmers to move from growing poppies to other food crops.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

1 November 2004

Reference

426 c1W; 193437

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many opium seizures have been made (a) in Afghanistan and (b) on Afghan borders since UK forces took control of the international community's efforts to stop the flow of drugs from Afghanistan. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 October 2004

For answer on

28 October 2004

Answered on

28 October 2004

Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many opium seizures have been made (a) in Afghanistan and (b) on Afghan borders since UK forces took control of the international community's efforts to stop the flow of drugs from Afghanistan. [193467] Mr. Rammell: The UK took on lead nation status for coordinating international counter narcotics activity in Afghanistan in April 2002. We remain committed to supporting the Afghan Government in implementation of their Afghan National Drug Control Strategy, and have allocated more than £70 million over three years for counter narcotics activity plus significant development funding and support for alternative livelihoods. The British Embassy Drugs Team, with assistance from other Government Departments, rather than UK forces, is the main delivery agent of this support and coordination. Since it became operational in January 2003, the Afghan Special Narcotics Force, supported by UK advice and funding, has seized over 50 tonnes of opiates. In addition, the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan, which was created in January 2003 with UK support, report that to date they have seized 2.1 tons heroin and 13.6 tons opium, over 1.5 tons of which were achieved specifically in UK supported operations together with 4.6 tons of precursor chemicals. The Afghan general and border police also seize opiates in the course of their work, but we do not have reliable figures. In addition, the UK works closely with Afghanistan's neighbours, including providing assistance, to help their efforts to counter the flow of opiates from Afghanistan. These countries have reported that in excess of 100 tonnes of opiates were seized in 2003.

Date

28 October 2004

Reference

425 c1383W; 193467

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions have taken place with the governments of (a) Turkmenistan, (b) Tajikistan and (c) Uzbekistan on the smuggling of opium across its borders with Afghanistan; and what steps the Government have taken to assist these countries in securing...

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 October 2004

Reference

425 c754W; 192056

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions have taken place with the Governments of (a) Afghanistan and (b) Burma regarding (i) poppy cultivation and (ii) progress in controlling the cultivation of poppies since the removal of the Taliban.

Asked by

Mark Simmonds (Conservative)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

17 September 2004

For answer on

13 October 2004

Answered on

13 October 2004

Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Governments of (a) Afghanistan and (b) Burma regarding (i) poppy cultivation and (ii) progress in controlling the cultivation of poppies since the removal of the Taliban. [189888] Mr. Rammell: As lead nation on counter narcotics in Afghanistan since April 2002, the UK has had regular discussions and works closely with the Afghan Government to support delivery of the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy, which was adopted in May 2003. I have visited Afghanistan for discussions with President Karzai and his Ministers about progress on the strategy. The UK has allocated £70 million over three years to support this work. As a result of those contacts, in the first year of implementation of the strategy the basic counter narcotics structures have been put in place: drug control legislation, a Counter Narcotics Directorate, the Ministry of Interior's Afghan Special Narcotics Force, the Counter Narcotics Police and a central eradication capability. Work is also in hand to develop alternative livelihoods for farmers dependent on opium poppy cultivation. The measures we have put in place provide a sound basis for future cooperation with the Afghan Government and international partners to secure the further development of robust institutions and programmes to combat opium production and trafficking. Progress remains linked to the wider security situation in Afghanistan and to the implementation of other areas of institution building such as policing and judicial systems. Burmese opiates are not trafficked to the UK in significant quantities. Most stays within the Asia/Pacific region. Our Ambassador in Rangoon discussed the reduction of poppy cultivation and other drugs issues with Burmese Ministers during a visit to Northern Shan State in January 2004.

Date

13 October 2004

Reference

425 c308-9W; 189888

House

House of Commons

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