EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/174

(2004/C 88 E/0183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0288/04

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Drug eradication programme in Colombia

During his recent visit to Colombia, Commissioner Chris Patten expressed European criticism of the drug eradication programme, which is supported by the United States. Commissioner Patten also said that the EU had refused to fund fumigations on the Andes, citing their impact on the life and well-being of Colombians, as well as the environment.

Mr Patten also confirmed the European pledges for alternative development programmes of some EUR 50 million, tying the disbursement of the money to Colombia's compliance with United Nations High Commission on Human Rights recommendations.

Does the Commission intend to raise the issue of the impact of fumigation in its bilateral talks with the US Administration, emphasising their overall impact and massive failures?

Would the Commission take into consideration for funding some of the proposals that a number of Colombian organisations are currently drafting on the alternative development of the coca bush, which could lead to the use of the leaf, which some indigenous communities consider sacred, for the production of a variety of produce other than cocaine?

Bearing in mind that the upcoming session of the UN Commission on Narcotics of 16/25 March can provide an opportunity to suggest changes to the UN Conventions on Drugs, what are the scientific reasons why the European Commission is of the opinion that coca bush should be kept in Schedule I and not reclassified in Schedule IV?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The Commission has already communicated to the United States Government its position on aerial spraying (fumigation) in general and such spraying as a method of destroying illegal plantations in Colombia in particular.

The Commission has been given a political undertaking by the Colombian Government that the areas in which alternative development projects are started will not be sprayed and is monitoring the situation carefully on the ground.

This position is in line with the one the Commission takes within the European Union, i.e. in future aerial spraying should be restricted to a minimum, if not entirely prohibited. In its communication on the environment and the sustainable use of pesticides (1), the Commission proposed a general ban on aerial spraying. It provided for specific derogation to be given by the Member States' authorities if such spraying presented clear advantages and environmental benefits compared with other spraying methods. The Commission put forward this proposal because of the possible effects of pesticide spraying on human health and the environment and the possible socio-economic effects of unintentional spraying of areas other than those targeted, inhabited areas and water resources (2).

The alternative development projects the Commission supports in Colombia provide for the voluntary manual uprooting of coca plants.

The next session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs will be held in Vienna from 15 to 22 March 2004. Amending the UN Conventions on drugs, or reclassifying coca leaf in those Conventions, is not on the agenda. The European Commission does not have the powers to alter the classification.

(1) COM(2002) 349 final.

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ppps/home.htm