Mr. Illseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the value of all foods and food products returned to the United Kingdom from other countries due to unacceptable levels of radiation, since the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. 153W Griffiths) on 6 July. This information is not available and there is no statutory requirement for exporters to furnish details of any returned consignments.
The British Government have made it clear that they regard the level of 600 Bq/kg adopted for Community imports from third countries as unduly restrictive and are supporting moves to establish more scientifically based levels in future EC emergency regulations.