Food Irradiation

HC Deb 29 January 1993 vol 217 cc891-2W

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state his policy towards the irradiation of food.

Mr. Soames

The Government have accepted the advice of expert bodies, including the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, that food irradiation is a safe and effective preservation process which can play a valuable role in enhancing food safety and extending consumer choice.

Accordingly, and taking account also of further advice from an independent scientific committee in the United Kingdom, the Government introduced the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990 which lay down detailed licensing controls for the application of the process.

It is the policy of the Government to permit the irradiation of the foods listed in the regulations under the strict controls provided and to reach agreement on proposals from the EC Commission for a control measure covering the whole of the European Community.