HC Deb 20 January 1988 vol 125 cc730-1W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why there is radioactivity monitoring in Northern Ireland; why it is only applied to lambs; and what are the sources which have contributed to the existence of radioactivity in livestock in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Viggers

Radioactive monitoring of the air and waters around the Northern Ireland coastline is carried out to assess the possible effect of radioactive discharges from nuclear energy installations.

Following the accident at Chernobyl, radioactive monitoring of agriculture products was introduced to ensure that foodstuffs were safe. As a result it has been found that only in sheep have radiation levels remained high enough to warrant continued monitoring. Three small hill areas were identified where some young lambs not yet ready for market had levels of radioactivity above the United Kingdom trigger level of 1,000 bq/kg. As a precaution the Department introduced controls on the movement and slaughter of sheep from these areas. Continued monitoring of sheepmeat indicates that Northern Ireland lamb products in the shops are safe.

The radioactivity found in livestock is characteristic of the Chernobyl fall out.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what systems of checks for the level of radioactive radiation are presently carried out on(a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c) pigs and (d) poultry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Viggers

The Department of Agriculture monitors (at slaughterhouses) the radioactivity levels in marketable lamb. All sheep leaving three designated areas are subject to movement controls and monitoring of radioactivity levels to ensure that these animals are not slaughtered unless cleared by the Department. Monitoring during 1986 and 1987 has shown other agricultural products to be safe so checks on cattle, pigs and poultry are not currently being carried out.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for checking the level of radioactive radiation in Angora goats; whether their wool presents any risk to human beings; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Viggers

I have no plans to check Angora goats for radioactivity, as there is no evidence of Angora goats being kept in any of three designated areas; nor is there evidence that the wool from Angora goats presents any risk to human beings.