§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the research projects he is currently(a) conducting or (b) funding on the effects of radioactivity contamination on agriculture and food products, giving the research establishment in each case.
§ Mr. GummerThe following projects are being funded by my Department in 1989–90.
Project title Contractor Wind tunnel and rain tower studies IC Implementation of models for upland environments ANS Maintenance and support of the Soil-Plant-Animal Dynamic-Evaluation (SPADE) suite of codes ANS Field investigations on the dynamics of Caesium in agricultural foodchains following the Chernobyl accident: Sample collection and analysis ANS Further experimental studies on radionuclide transfer to upland plant species ANS Enhancement of atmospheric dispersion models in the SPADE suite of codes ANS Development of a method to rapidly predict the availability of radio-caesium to animal products after an accidental discharge ITE/MLURI Vegetation/soil survey in Cumbrian restricted area-validation of aerial survey ITE Studies on Caesium in soil, plants and sheep in Ireland QUB Particle properties and root uptake UKAEA Continuation of studies into the use of Prussian Blue to reduce body burdens of caesium in sheep QUB Comparative deposition and uptake by crops of radionuclides around English and French nuclear sites UKAEA Influence of upland soil type on caesium uptake UKAEA Assessment of novel analytical techniques UKAEA Strontium-90 in crops and effect of Chernobyl deposition UKAEA Development of automation of Strontium-90 analytical method UKAEA Gut uptake of fission products from fuel particles UKAEA Implementation of risk assessment and emergency codes for personal computers CERC Effects of land management on caesium recycling ANS Radionuclide transfer: a critical view ANS Methods to reduce agricultural impact ANS Radionuclide uptake by sheep ITE Transfer of radionuclides in an area reclaimed from the sea NRPB Specification of models for upland environments ANS Further evaluation of data obtained from field investigations on caesium dynamics following Chernobyl. Analysis of 1988–89 samples ANS Effects of organic matter on caesium uptake in pasture UKAEA Studies into the migration and binding of radio-caesium in peat UKAEA The migration of caesium 134 and 137 in peat UKAEA Recycling of radio-caesium UKAEA Preparation of detailed maps on selected farms in north Wales known to have received Chernobyl fall-out SSLRC Note:
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- ANS—Associated Nuclear Services.
- ITE—Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.
- UKAEA—AEA Technology (Harwell Laboratories).
- IC—Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.
- MLURI—Macauley Land Use Research Institute.
- QUB—Queens University, Belfast.
- CERC—Cambridge Environmental Research Contractors.
- NRPB—National Radiological Protection Board.
- SSLRC—Soil Survey and Land Research Centre.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number and types of equipment he has for measuring radioactivity in plants, animals and liquids.
§ Mr. GummerMy Department maintains fully equipped laboratory facilities, provided with a comprehensive range of radiometric equipment for measuring all types of radioactivity in any kind of agricultural, fisheries or food materials. In addition, we have 50 sodium iodide detectors which may be used, among other things, for monitoring gamma-emitting radionuclides in live animals in field conditions.