HL Deb 24 November 1997 vol 583 cc817-9

7.36 p.m.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

rose to move, That the order laid before the House on 31st October be approved [12th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the order before the House today seeks your Lordships' approval for an emergency order made on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland to ban fishing for all species of fish and shellfish in an area of water around the Dounreay nuclear establishment.

The order was made on 29th October as a result of the detection of 34 fragments of irradiated fuel by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) during its recent survey of offshore sediments. The survey was an extension to the Atomic Energy Authority's survey programme aimed at establishing the source of particulate contamination detected on the Dounreay foreshore since 1984 and on the public beach at Sandside Bay.

The decision to make this Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) order was based on advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, (SEPA), which is the regulatory agency and acts as a source of independent advice to the Scottish Office. In providing this advice, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has carefully considered the information currently available. It has taken into account the contamination of seabed sediments by fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel extending for at least 1 kilometre laterally along the coast from the Dounreay main site outfall. On the basis of that information, the Scottish Environment Protection agency requested a restriction on the harvesting of seafood around the area as a precautionary measure.

The order therefore prohibits the taking of all species of fish and shellfish within a 2 kilometre area of water around the main outfall pipe of the Dounreay nuclear establishment, again as recommended by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. I must emphasise that our aim in taking the action is to ensure effective protection of public health.

I am advised, on the current information available, that the risk to public health is likely to be very low, although there does remain a possibility that fragments of the irradiated nuclear fuel could be taken up by seafood species and subsequently enter the human food chain. If a fragment of this irradiated nuclear fuel was to be ingested, it could result in severe acute radiation effects and significant long term health effects. That is the reason, therefore, that this precautionary measure has been taken. The protection of public safety is of paramount importance.

We are advised by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) that very little commercial fishing takes place in the closed area of water. Some fishing for crabs and lobsters takes place on a seasonal basis. We have been advised also that the closed area may affect the harvesting of a run of wild salmon. It is not yet clear whether this run is within the exclusion zone, and that will need to be examined further.

By acting quickly to protect public health, we also ensure that the good name of the Scottish fisheries industry is protected. The quality of Scottish produce is second to none. In taking action to close the area for fishing as a precautionary measure, we can demonstrate to our trading partners and customers that the safety and quality of our produce is of paramount importance.

I must stress also that at this stage no fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel have been found in fish or shellfish during recent aquatic monitoring programmes in the area carried out on behalf of the Scottish Office by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Indeed, following the making of the order a request was received from fishermen to recover their catch from the prohibited area. Consent was granted by the Scottish Office and on 4th November this year 69 creels were recovered under the supervision of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Atomic Energy Authority. All the catch, mainly crabs and lobsters, was individually monitored, and no radioactivity was found. The catch was detained for further examination by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Atomic Energy Authority. Some contamination was found adhering to one creel. It consisted of a small piece of black tape, which showed readily detectable levels of radioactivity. Further detailed analysis of the tape is currently under way.

Fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel have been found on the Dounreay foreshore since 1984 at a rate of approximately one per month. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC), in their independent reports, published in May 1995, concluded that the chance of a member of the public encountering a fragment on the beach was considered to be extremely small. The operator has undertaken investigations to find the source of the material. The work was restricted initially to the foreshore. Following an isolated find at Sandside Bay earlier this year, investigations commenced offshore and 34 fragments were found in offshore sediments. Their presence was notified to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which has made a clear recommendation that interim action is required.

The order is based upon these recent results. The extent of the ban relates to an area of 2 kilometres of the main outfall pipe of Dounreay and reflects the extent necessary to deal with the current situation. The source of the fragments has not yet been identified by the Atomic Energy Authority. Once that is determined a more accurate assessment of the risk will be possible.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has confirmed that it will ask the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to assist it in producing an assessment of the risks from fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel offshore at Dounreay. When the results of that assessment are available, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will reassess its current advice. I am certain that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the National Radiological Protection Board will undertake that work as quickly as possible, but it is likely to take some months.

I must re-emphasise that our aim in taking this action is to safeguard public health. I beg to move.

Moved, That the order laid before the House on 31st October be approved [12th Report from the Joint Committee.]—(Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton.)

7.45 p.m.

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her clear and concise explanation of why the order has been brought before us. I realise that in such incidents, as the Minister said, public health is of paramount importance. I note that she confirmed that there had been no evidence of contamination of fishing species in the area. I should like to know who carried out the inspections off the coast at Dounreay.

Is the Minister aware that the order will not affect just the 2 kilometre area about which she talked but the reputation of all fish and shellfish caught throughout northern waters? As the Minister confirmed, it must be emphasised that produce from outside the area has not been found to be contaminated.

I was made aware in the early part of the year that fishing is of prime importance economically in this area. I hope that the Minister will make her right honourable friend aware of that fact, especially as I believe—I should like her to let me know whether or not this is so—there is no compensation available for fishermen as a result of the order. We of course support the order, but we are concerned for the livelihoods of those fishing in northern waters.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his interest and his questions which I shall attempt to answer to his satisfaction. I am sure that if any point remains to be clarified, we can do so by letter. The inspection was carried out by the operator (the UKAEA) which undertook the offshore survey as an extension of the monitoring programme. It is aimed at establishing the route by which the particles have been appearing on the foreshore.

Fragments were detected offshore for the first time during August and September as a result of the survey. SEPA informed the Scottish Office on 23rd October that it advised an interim ban. Obviously there is concern. I confirm that no compensation is available when action is taken to protect food safety because the safety of the food chain is of paramount importance.

The order will be lifted when it is felt safe to do so. It will be reviewed when there has been a further assessment by the National Radiological Protection Board and SEPA. That is likely to take several months. I want to clarify the point, because I notice a questioning look on the face of the noble Earl. It is not the policy to compensate when taking action to ensure food safety. I commend the order to the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.