§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum combined concentration of cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury which his Department advises should not be exceeded in marketable shellfish; and what steps he is taking to ensure that this maximum concentration is never reached in British inland waters.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThis is not a field where a combined limit of these four substances in shellfish is desirable or likely to be effective. Levels have to be considered in relation to the total intake70W from food. My Department is maintaining a close watch on the total diet, which includes shellfish, for heavy metals and I am advised that they do not reach a level which would be a risk to the consumer.
We are well aware of the need to restrict quantities of these substances finding their way into inland waters. Controls over effluents containing them is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.