§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total tonnage of soft fruit imports by country to(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. CurryThe total tonnage of soft fruit imports (mainly strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants, both fresh and semi-processed) by country, for the United Kingdom in each of the past five years for which complete figures are available is listed in the table. No separate figures are available for Scotland.
§ Mr. GummerNo. International expert committees and our own advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods (ACINF) have advised that the irradiation of food up to an overall average dose of 10 kilograys presents no toxicological hazard and introduces no special nutritional problems. This view was reaffirmed by the ACINF in its further advice to Ministers given after considering technical representations made during consultation. However, the ACINF recommended that the consumption and nutrient content of irradiated food should be monitored. We have already made it clear that we intend to implement this recommendation.