§ 20. Mr. BarnesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will establish a continuing survey of dioxin levels in milk in North-East Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [17684]
§ Mr. RookerSamples of cows' milk from farms in the north-east Derbyshire area have been analysed regularly since 1991, when elevated levels of dioxins were first discovered. Samples taken in July 1997 from 19 farms in the Bolsover area showed that levels of dioxins in the milk have fallen and are now generally similar to those found in other parts of the UK. The need for further surveys will be reviewed next year in the light of the results from samples taken in October this year and the next survey planned for July 1998.