§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the three reports, recently referred to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Ryder), dealing with problems of lead dioxide, chlorine dioxide and bleach, in relation to the paper-making industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderWe are aiming to produce the reports referred to in three months. I assume the question refers to the use of paper-based packaging materials. Dioxins can be formed during the bleaching of wood pulp and it has been found that low levels may be present in paper products made from bleached pulp. Recent studies in Scandinavia and North America have suggested that small amounts of dioxins can subsequently migrate into foodstuffs from paper-based packaging materials. The available data indicate that the levels are extremely small and do not pose a hazard to health, but none the less my Ministry is now carrying out a thorough investigation of dioxins in food, including a programme of laboratory analysis, to decide if any action is necessary.