Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the extent and effectiveness of radiation monitoring conducted by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerYes. Monitoring of radiocaesium levels in sheep is being undertaken on a regular basis at a number of locations both inside and around the boundaries of the restricted areas. In addition, where a producer wishes to move sheep out of the restricted area for marketing or flock management purposes, the sheep concerned are individually live monitored and those that are above the action level are marked to prevent their slaughter.
Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the scientific advice available to his Department on radio-caesium levels in hill land; and if he will give an indication of the latest advice available to him about the time period for which levels are likely to remain high enough to necessitate restrictions on sheep and lamb movements.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 28 April 1987, at column67. The programme of research and monitoring is continuing and results will be published in the normal way.
Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish details of all radiation measurements conducted by his Department on grassland and sheepmeat since 1 January.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe available data has already been published and copies placed in the Library of the House.