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19/02/2004
Afghan opium production to rise again, UN warns
Last year Afghanistan produced its highest amount of opium since 1999 – an estimated 3,600 tons, or more than three-quarters of the global supply – and the country is poised to exceed that amount this year, according to the results of a UN survey released today.
In its Afghanistan Farmers’ Intention Survey 2003/2004, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that two out of three farmers interviewed said that they would "increase significantly" their opium poppy cultivation in 2004.
The UN has said that poor social conditions in the country were at the root of the rise in drug cultivation.
UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said that persistent poverty, high opium prices and loans from traffickers were the main reasons for the higher than expected opium production.
According to the report, farmers were aware of the government ban on opium production, but the short-term benefits of the activity continued to outweigh the potential risks of breaking the law.
Overall, a quarter of Afghan farmers engaged in opium poppy cultivation in 2003. Opium plantations covered 27% of the land they cultivated, but produced more than 60% of their annual income, the survey found.
Mr Costa said: "The results of this survey impart the unequivocal warning that illegal opium production will continue to thrive unless resolute actions are taken… [such as] economic assistance for farmers, eradication of opium fields and interdiction of traffickers.
“The formidable threat which the opium economy poses to peace, stability and socio-economic recovery in Afghanistan will otherwise continue to increase.”
(gmcg)
In its Afghanistan Farmers’ Intention Survey 2003/2004, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that two out of three farmers interviewed said that they would "increase significantly" their opium poppy cultivation in 2004.
The UN has said that poor social conditions in the country were at the root of the rise in drug cultivation.
UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said that persistent poverty, high opium prices and loans from traffickers were the main reasons for the higher than expected opium production.
According to the report, farmers were aware of the government ban on opium production, but the short-term benefits of the activity continued to outweigh the potential risks of breaking the law.
Overall, a quarter of Afghan farmers engaged in opium poppy cultivation in 2003. Opium plantations covered 27% of the land they cultivated, but produced more than 60% of their annual income, the survey found.
Mr Costa said: "The results of this survey impart the unequivocal warning that illegal opium production will continue to thrive unless resolute actions are taken… [such as] economic assistance for farmers, eradication of opium fields and interdiction of traffickers.
“The formidable threat which the opium economy poses to peace, stability and socio-economic recovery in Afghanistan will otherwise continue to increase.”
(gmcg)
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Afghanistan's opium production reaches new high
Opium production in Afghanistan has become much more widespread and the country now produces about three-quarters of the world’s output of the drug, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
02 February 2004
UN appeal set to tackle Afghan opium production
Poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan must be addressed if serious inroads are to be made into ending opium production, the UN has said. The UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) today appealed for $25.
UN appeal set to tackle Afghan opium production
Poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan must be addressed if serious inroads are to be made into ending opium production, the UN has said. The UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) today appealed for $25.
28 May 2004
UN chief heads to Afghanistan over opium fears
The United Nations counter-narcotics chief is heading to Afghanistan this weekend as a result of concern the 2004 country's opium crop may reach record levels – topping last year's 3,600 tons.
UN chief heads to Afghanistan over opium fears
The United Nations counter-narcotics chief is heading to Afghanistan this weekend as a result of concern the 2004 country's opium crop may reach record levels – topping last year's 3,600 tons.
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Tesco Pledge To Move Meat Production 'Closer To Home'
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Emergency Text Service To Be Tested
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Emergency Text Service To Be Tested
A pilot scheme of a new emergency text message alert system is underway in Glasgow. From 2pm this afternoon, O2 customers will receive three messages as a test of the system. It is understood that the texts will make clear that it is just a test and that they are part of a trial.
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