HC Deb 18 November 1986 vol 105 cc153-4W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made to control the importation into Scotland of foodstuffs containing radioactive contamination following the expiry on 30 September of the European Economic Community Council regulation No. 1707/86.

Mr. John MacKay

The arrangements for the control of the importation into Scotland of such foodstuffs have been extended to 28 February 1987 in accordance with EC Regulation No. 3020/86.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the maximum levels of caesium 134/137 which would be found during 1987 in milk and meat produced from cattle fed during the coming winter on hay or silage contaminated by these radionuclides at the maximum levels of 1,145Bq/Kg and 454Bq/Kg, respectively, found in his Department's recent monitoring.

Mr. Ancram

The radioactivity which will be present in meat and milk produced in 1987 will come in part from that in hay and silage used for cattle feed this winter. It is not possible to predict exactly what contribution radioactivity in winter feed will make to the total present in milk and meat next year. However, monitoring will continue of all materials of potential significance in terms of public health.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the maximum level of caesium 134/137 which would be found in (a) cow's milk, (b) beef and (c) lamb's meat produced from animals grazing on pasture contaminated by these radionuclides at the maximum level of 7,030Bq/sq m found in recent monitoring by his Department.

Mr. Ancram

No such assessment has been made. The monitoring of pasture was not undertaken in order to predict levels of radioactivity in cow's milk, beef and lamb's meat, but rather to help to identify those areas where further monitoring of agricultural products might be needed.

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