PILOT SCHEME FOR THE LICENSING OF POPPY CROPS IN AFGHANISTAN

That this House notes with concern the destabilising impact narcotics continue to have in Afghanistan; believes that unless the illegal trafficking of opium is contained, security, reconstruction and development initiatives will be inhibited; recognises that the United Kingdom is a G8 lead nation committed to supporting the Afghan National Drugs Control Strategy; is concerned that, despite a number of international initiatives to curb drug trafficking, poppy growth continues to increase, with around 90 per cent. of the world's heroin being produced in Afghanistan; acknowledges the change in Afghan legislation now authorising the growth of poppies for medicinal purposes; notes the success of other United Nations licensed schemes around the world; believes that the UK, with its responsibility of providing both security and international development assistance in Helmand Province, is well placed to influence the counter narcotics strategy of the Afghan government; supports the establishment of a UN-operated pilot scheme allowing farmers to grow poppies under licence for the production of morphine and dia-morphine for medicinal purposes; believes that this would assist local farmers, boost the local economy, provide revenues for the Afghan government, and deny terrorist organisations and local warlords benefit from the drugs trade; and calls upon the Government to explore the possibility of initiating such a pilot scheme in concert with Afghan authorities and the UN.