§ Mr. Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the persistent effect of radiation on agriculture in Gwynedd and elsewhere.This matter is specific because the problems are defined in specific areas in Gwynedd, north-west England and the south of Scotland and they relate to specific farms. The problem is not one of a danger to the general public from eating lamb. Indeed, I should like to make it clear that there is no danger to the general public because the lamb reaching the shops has been subject to the tight screening procedures that take place.The matter is important because the effects of radiation are still running at an alarmingly high level. Readings in my county of Gwynedd this month have shown levels of radioactivity in lamb running at 4,000 bq/kg. That is four times higher than the Government's own alarm level and it will take six to nine months for the level of radiation to decay to a level that will allow the lifting of the ban.
Readings of radiation in silage during the Recess have shown a level as much as five times higher than that which is acceptable in fodder given to milk cows. However, the Government have given the go-ahead for the silage to be used without any certainty of testing to show that there are no genetic problems or danger to the animals.
The matter is also important because the compensation provisions brought forward by the Government, while having helped some farmers very much indeed, remain a matter of rough justice. There are massive loopholes, especially for those farmers who waited over three weeks after the end of the ban before marketing, which led them into extreme cash flow problems.
The matter is urgent because many hill farmers in Gwynedd are facing the prospect of a whole winter without the ban being lifted. They have grave worries about the genetic effects on animals. They have severe cash flow problems and many are wondering whether it is Chernobyl that caused this radiation or whether the sources are nearer home. The matter is of great anxiety to my constituents, who have waited all through the summer recess for an opportunity for these points to be raised in the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the persistent effect of radiation on agriculture in Gwynedd and elsewhere.I fully appreciate the concern expressed by the hon. Gentleman, but he knows that my only duty is to decide whether this matter should take precedence over the business set down for today. I much regret that I do not consider that the matter that he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.