HC Deb 20 March 1967 vol 743 cc180-1W
Mr. Ensor

asked the Minister of Health if he has completed consultations on the proposal to prohibit the irradiation of food; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. K. Robinson

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I have today laid before the House regulations under the Food and Drugs Acts to prohibit the irradiation of food and food products intended for human consumption. An exception is made where the amount and energy of radiation is below a prescribed, very low, level; this will allow the use of certain measuring instruments.

We are setting up an Advisory Committee on the Irradiation of Food to advise us on applications for exemption from the regulations. Where an application is accepted, fresh regulations will be made to provide for the exemption.

Professor F. G. Young, F.R.S., my consultant adviser on Biochemistry, has agreed to be Chairman of the Advisory Committee, whose terms of reference are: At the request of the Minister of Health, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, or the Minister of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland,

  1. (1) to consider applications for exemption from the prohibition on the sale and importation of irradiated food intended for human consumption;
  2. (2) to advise whether such applications should be accepted and, if so, under what conditions; or, if not, to give the reasons for rejection;
  3. (3) to advise generally on matters relating to the irradiation of food."