Dioxins, Derbyshire (Hansard, 14 December 1993)

§ Mr. Skinner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information her Department has as to which geographical area the dioxin contamination on the farm closest to the Coalite works in Derbyshire is spreading.

§ Mr. Soames
The Ministry has undertaken further studies of dioxins in cows' milk from farms in the Bolsover area of Derbyshire. Milk taken from five farms in September was tested, including milk from the farm in question. In all cases the levels of dioxins found were lower than in similar samples taken in 1991 and 1992, indicating that the degree of contamination in the area is continuing to decrease. There is no evidence that the original contamination is spreading.

§ Mr. Skinner
; To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will now publish the research undertaken by her Department which follows on from the third report on dioxins in Derbyshire; and if she will make a statement.
595W

§ Mr. Soames
A summary of the results of the September survey of dioxins in milk from farms in the Bolsover area of Derbyshire was published in the November edition of the MAFF food safety directorate information bulletin. An explanatory note giving full details of the survey was also made available on request. The small amount of research data obtained recently is currently subject to statistical analysis and the results will be published in due course. All other data from our research in the Bolsover area has been published in line with our earlier commitments.

§ Mr. Skinner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken by her Department to study and limit the continuing dioxin contamination on the farm closest to the Coalite works in Derbyshire.

§ Mr. Soames
Dioxins in milk from suckling cows on this farm are falling, but are still in excess of a maximum tolerable concentration of 0.7 ng TEO/kg set by the Ministry and the Department of Health. This milk is not produced for human consumption and there is no direct risk to human health from the milk. The Ministry will continue its surveillance programme on dioxins in milk from this and other farms in the area to monitor the situation. This will ensure that no milk supplied for human comsumption contains unacceptable concentrations of dioxins.