§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further plans he has for those farmers who are still suffering disruption to their businesses from the restrictions which remain in force after the Chernobyl disaster; what is his latest estimate of the number of farmers involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonApproximately 150 holdings in Cumbria continue to be affected by our post-Chernobyl restrictions on the movement and slaughter of sheep. These restrictions are required in order to maintain public confidence in the safety of the food chain. However, the Government is continuing to operate "mark and release" arrangements to ensure the minimum disruption to normal farming practices in the restricted areas and to compensate farmers affected by the restrictions.
The Government are also continuing their research efforts in and around the restricted areas with a view to lifting restrictions at the earliest opportunity commensurate with the need to ensure the safety of the food chain. Results of this research will continue to be published as they become available. In the meantime, we shall continue to maintain close contacts with individual farmers who are affected, and their representative organisations, in order to keep them fully informed of developments.