Poppy Farming (Hansard, 26 March 2003)

§ 4. John Mann (Bassetlaw)
What plans she has to provide alternative occupations to those involved in the fanning of the opium poppy. [104778]

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Ms Sally Keeble)
My Department is supporting rural development and other programmes in Afghanistan so that Afghans can develop livelihoods that do not depend on poppy growing. We are taking care not to provide perverse incentives by working only in poppy-growing areas.

§ John Mann
Many of my constituents who are in the armed services are in Afghanistan, and far too many of my constituents are drug addicts because of heroin. Can we see the job through in Afghanistan? Will the Minister 275 give a commitment to quantify the success in providing alternative employment in Afghanistan over the next year?

§ Ms Keeble
Yes. Of the £40 million a year that we are providing in support to Afghanistan, probably a third to half of it goes on diversification. Our programmes include a £3 million livelihood programme in Badakhstan, and a £2 million migrant labour scheme in the central highlands to stop some people migrating to the poppy-growing areas. We therefore do a lot of specific practical work, which will be continued in the coming years.

§ Mr. Robert Key (Salisbury)
Ninety per cent. of the heroin coming into the United Kingdom is supplied from Afghanistan. This year, Afghanistan will have a bumper crop of some 4,000 tonnes. What are the Government going to do, because the Minister has failed to stop the production of opium in Afghanistan? What will happen, and what will she and her ministerial colleagues do, when bumper crops come into the UK?

§ Ms Keeble
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the problem of the heroin that comes to the UK from Afghanistan. My hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) has done a huge amount to highlight the problem and examine practical solutions, and I think that everyone applauds his work.
The hon. Gentleman knows that we have worked to destroy poppy crops. There will not necessarily be a bumper crop this year but we recognise that there is still the problem of poppies being grown. The Afghan Government are working with the provincial governors to destroy the crops. We are trying to support that with a long-term solution of ensuring that if crops are destroyed, people will be able to find alternative livelihoods.

§ Mr. Key
It is not working.

§ Ms Keeble
The hon. Gentleman says it is not working, but clearly long-term support will be needed to change the livelihoods of disadvantaged people in rural areas. We are working with the Afghan Government to achieve that goal.

§ Mr. Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff, Central)
Is the Minister aware of any examples of when action on drug-supplying nations has had any effect on the amount of drugs sold and provided in drug-taking nations?

§ Ms Keeble
Work across government is co-ordinated among all Government Departments. A considerable amount of work is being done in Iran to tackle problems related to supply routes. Although the work in Afghanistan is in its early days, it is extremely important because it is focused on the area from which most of the drugs come.

§ Mrs. Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham)
Is the Minister aware that pyrethrum—a chrysanthemum—grows in the same conditions as the poppy plant? It is used for the manufacture of organic insecticides and pesticides—I see that the Secretary of State is familiar with it. It is used by companies such as Agropharm, 276 which is in my constituency. What is the Department doing to encourage farmers to grow pyrethrum instead of poppies?

§ Ms Keeble
I was not aware of the particular problem raised by the hon. Lady. [HON. MEMBERS: "Solution."] Okay, the solution. I understand that she has received a letter from my right hon. Friend the Secretary the State about the issue. I shall examine and take up the matter again and ensure that we take advantage of the solution.

§ Mr. Bill Tynan (Hamilton, South)
The continuing growth of poppy fields is a major problem. What steps have been taken to provide finance for machinery and education so that we turn to alternative solutions to ensure that living standards in Afghanistan increase?

§ Ms Keeble
My hon. Friend has pointed to the longer-term solution that we must find. We have invested substantial amounts and we shall continue to do so. We provided £15 million for the Afghan reconstruction trust fund this year. The fund covers a range of issues, including alternative livelihoods and people's educational needs. There are other specific projects, but the solution is to work with the Afghan Government to ensure that their country has a sustainable economy and sustainable social programmes.