REPLACE ILLEGAL CROPS WITH PROFITABLE ALTERNATIVES

OTTAWA (CP) - Finding alternative crops to replace the illicit but
more profitable ones used for drugs could help stem the world drug
trade, delegates agreed at an international forum Friday. That
recommendation was one of several approved at the three-day
Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas that ended Friday.

Member countries should work together to fight drug trafficking by
finding crops to replace the illegal crops that bring in cash, said
Liberal MP Bill Graham, who will serve as chair for the next two
years.

"They recognized that the most effective manner to confront the drug
problem is not through unilateral methods but rather through
multi-lateral evaluation mechanisms, conducted by international
organizations," Graham told the wrap-up news conference.

Other recommendations proposed addressing the impact of drug trade on
neighbouring countries as well as measuring its costs to society.

Delegates from 26 countries also supported the creation of a
free-trade area that includes North, South and Central America as a
way to promote prosperity and reduce poverty.

The group also recommended the elimination of non-tariff barriers,
export subsidies and other trade-distorting practices that affect
agricultural products.

Recommedations will be forwarded to countries participating in the
Summit of the Americas in April in Quebec City.