HC Deb 12 December 1988 vol 143 c431W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about steps taken by the European Community to guard against the export to developing nations of foodstuffs contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl accident.

Mr. Ryder

I am satisfied of the safety of all United Kingdom foodstuffs exported following the Chernobyl accident. At EC level, I understand that the Commission has taken administrative action to ensure that all food aid consignments to developing countries meet the same standards as those applied to post-Chernobyl imports from third countries.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to protect agriculture and fisheries in the area of Cumbria which were found by the post-Chernobyl aerial survey to have radioactivity readings in excess of 300,000 bq/sq m.

Mr. Ryder

The figures from the aerial survey need to be put in perspective. They relate to total caesium in the rocks and soil as well as in the vegetation. Monitoring on a regular basis of foodstuff in Cumbria area has shown there is no need to take additional measures to protect agriculture and fisheries.

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