§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the reasons for the distinction between the 1,000 becquerels per kilo emergency reference level for daesium 137, caesium 134 and iodine 131 in sheepmeat in the United Kingdom as against the level of 600 becquerels per kilo in other countries of the European Community.
§ Mrs. FennerEmergency reference levels for sheepmeat in the United Kingdom were agreed by the Government on the advice of the National Radiological Protection336W Board and were derived from recommendations published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The maximum level of 600 Bq/kilo of radiocaesium is that agreed by the European Community for imports from third countries. This is more restrictive because it takes into account the uncertain nature of information from some third countries affected by the accident at Chernobyl.