§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what maximum levels of concentrations of dioxins and furans within samples of soil and herbage are allowable before these trigger further surveys within an area into the concentrations of dioxins and furans in food and beverages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesNo specific maximum concentrations of dioxins and furans in soil and herbage have been set as a 49W trigger for a corresponding survey of locally produced foods. The Ministry's general approach is to consider the need for a survey of local foodstuffs only when the concentrations or patterns of dioxins and furans in soil or herbage in a specific area differ significantly from normal background levels.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the maximum tolerable concentrations of dioxins and furans which are allowable in differing types of milk, milk products, meat, meat products, fish, fats, oils, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cereals, cereal products, water and other beverages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Ministry has established a maximum tolerable concentration—MTC—of dioxins and furans in whole milk of 0.7 ng TEQ/kg. Action is necessary to prevent direct consumption of milk if it contains dioxins and furans at concentrations above the MTC. No MTCs have been set for dioxins and furans in other foods listed.