§ 7. Mr. Stevensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has yet reached any conclusions on the 17th report of the steering group on food surveillance entitled "Survey of Mercury in Food".
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe report recommends that monitoring of foods for mercury and intakes of mercury by special groups of consumers be undertaken. Arrangements for this monitoring are currently being made by my Department.
§ Mr. StevensI thank my hon. Friend for that reply, particularly his commitment fully to monitor mercury intakes. Will he confirm that the mercury level in food and drink in the United Kingdom is less than one tenth of the safety level recommended by the World Health Organisation?
§ Mr. ThompsonMy hon. Friend is correct. Over the past 15 years we have had substantial reductions in mercury discharges, and food and drink is safe from any mercury contamination.
§ Dr. GodmanWith regard to the report, will the Minister confirm that shellfish and white fish stocks in the north Atlantic are utterly and completely free from mercury contamination?
§ Mr. ThompsonI should not like to confirm that shellfish and white fish stocks are utterly free from mercury contamination. I said that food sold in Britain is fit to eat and safe. Most of the mercury contamination that flows into the North sea flows in from continental rivers, over which we have little control.