Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of illicit jade and drug trading in Burma and the actions of the government of that country in respect of tackling the trade of such goods into China.

Burma remains the main source of drugs in the region and is the world’s second largest producer of opium poppy, which along with illicit trade of jade, provides significant sources of income that have helped fuel Burma’s internal conflicts. The production of methamphetamine is also a growing concern, with the majority of the production in Burma exported to neighbouring countries.

We are aware of plans for improved cooperation between the nations of the Mekong region, including Burma, to tackle the illicit drugs trade. This includes the recent establishment of a regional centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand, staffed by drugs enforcement officers from Burma, Thailand, China and Laos. The UK welcomes these efforts and encourages coordination with the UN Office of Drugs and Crime.