§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what readings of caesium 137 and caesium 134 were recorded in rainwater from 2 May onwards; what information was available at that stage about the likelihood of these radioisotopes of caesium being transferred within weeks to the livestock that were maturing for slaughter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingData on levels of caesium 137 and caesium 134 in rainwater were included in the raw data published by the Department of the Environment on 15 May 1986, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
As soon as it became apparent that there had been high deposition of radioactivity in certain areas, my Department intensified testing of foods considered to present a risk. This testing initially concentrated on milk and vegetables, but it was later extended to meat, in which radioactivity takes longer to appear. When we became aware of an elevated reading in young lamb taken from Cumbria, testing of sheep from this area was stepped up to establish the extent of the problem and ensure that appropriate action was taken.