§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the length of time that will have to pass before there will be no restriction on the movement of farm animals arising from high levels of radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
§ Mr. CurryWhile it is not possible to say when all restrictions on sheep from the parts of Cumbria affected by the Chernobyl accident will finally be lifted, considerable progress has been made since 1986. Only 138 of the 1,670 holdings originally subject to controls remain under restriction. We are continuing our monitoring and research efforts with the aim of releasing the remaining area at the earliest opportunity consistent with the need to ensure that the food chain remains fully protected.
I will be reviewing the results later this year and considering the possibility of further relaxation of restrictions. In the meantime, we shall continue with our "mark and release" and compensation arrangements which allow normal farming practices with minimum disruption.