§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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 the high levels of radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
§ Mr. David HuntIt is not possible to estimate how long radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident will require the maintaining of controls on the sale of and movement of sheep from the restricted area of Wales. However, our "mark and release" arrangements and associated compensation payments are designed to ensure the minimum disruption to normal farming practices while controls remain in force.
188WFollowing intensive monitoring and assessment programmes, I was able to lift controls from two small areas in Gwynedd and Clwyd last year. We are continuing with those types of programmes with a view to lifting controls in further parts of the remaining restricted area as soon as it is possible to do so without compromising food safety.