Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-10-24-Speech-3-476"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2007-10-24"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan (debate)2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20071024.44.3-476"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2007-10-24-Speech-3-4772
lpv:speaker	lp:Richard Howitt2
lpv:spoken text	"Madam President, as someone who has long opposed fumigation to eradicate drugs as inefficient, often counterproductive and always with damaging side effects to human health, I am sorry that this resolution combines this position with what I believe to be a misguided attempt to encourage licit opium production in Afghanistan. This resolution quotes the Senlis Council report suggesting a global poppy shortage; but that is not poppy, it is poppycock. The International Narcotics Control Board shows world stockpiles of licit opiates equivalent to two years’ demand, whilst London-based Johnson Matthey, the largest producer of morphine in the world, attest to a world surplus of more than 250 tonnes. The Commissioner is right to argue that conditions in Afghanistan would not allow Afghan farmers to benefit. This is just one of many forced assumptions in the draft resolution. Opium poppy is grown on less than 4% of agricultural land. Licit cultivation would add to illicit cultivation, not replace it. According to the independent Asia Foundation survey, 80% of Afghan people oppose this drugs trade. The Afghan Government opposes it, President Karzai calling opium ‘the enemy of humanity’. Just weeks before the time for sowing poppy, it would send precisely the wrong political signal. I have every respect for the rapporteur, but on this issue, I regret, the House will divide. Poppy for medicine is a beguiling phrase; but the truth, instead, is that opium funds the violence and insecurity in Afghanistan. Poppy for corruption and terrorism would be the more apt phrase."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	member; AFET (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 member; PES (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 vice-chair; DROI (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 substitute; SEDE (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3 unknown; Labour Party (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 substitute; EMPL (2007-01-31--2009-07-13)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Richard Howitt (PSE ). –"1

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