§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what information he has concerning radiation readings for food and livestock in south Wales following the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident;
(2) what readings are taken as a matter of course for radiation in food and livestock in the south Wales area.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonThere has been an ongoing monitoring programme covering agricultural produce throughout the Principality since the Chernobyl accident. Produce tested in south Wales includes milk and milk products, cereals, fruit, vegetables and meat. The results of these tests have been published regularly and copies placed in the Library of the House. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertakes on behalf of the Department an aquatic environment monitoring programme and its report, issued in early October, includes results obtained following the Chernobyl accident. A copy of this report has also been placed in the Library of the House. We have also commenced a more comprehensive terrestrial radioactivity monitoring programme around nuclear establishments throughout England and Wales and the first report of this programme will be issued in due course.