§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the time period it will take before the radioactive products from ithe accident at Chernobyl will be reduced to a level to permit the return of normal hill farming in the areas affected.
§ Mr. CurryWe were able to reduce the size of the Cumbria post-Chernobyl restricted area at the beginning of this year. Monitoring and research continue with a view 437W to making further reductions just as soon as it is possible to do so without compromising the safety of the food chain.
It is not possible to say when the last of the restrictions will be lifted. However, the "mark and release" and associated compensation arrangements are designed to impose the minimum possible disruption of normal farming practices.