§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received applications for approval for licensing irradiation plants in the United Kingdom; if he will list any plants which have received such approval; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerI have received inquiries, but no formal application has yet been made.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the process for the approval of plants in the United Kingdom which will irradiate food; what is the name of the committee which will consider such approvals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerApplications for licences will be considered by a committee of officials of the Argiculture and Health Departments of the countries concerned. The committee will include scientists and administrators with expertise in the fields of medicine, radiation science, toxicology, microbiology, nutrition, and food hygiene. The committee will seek such other advice as it considers necessary. The recommendations of the committee will be considered by the Agriculture and Health Ministers acting jointly.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answers to the hon. Member for South Shields of 20 December,Official Report, column 297, whether he has now (a) given approval to irradiation plants in non-EC countries or (b) given official authorisation to irradiation plants in EC countries to import irradiated foods into the United Kingdom; and if he will list all such plants.
§ Mr. GummerI have nothing to add to the answers given to the hon. Member on 20 December 1990, at column297.