§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice was given to farmers in the Worcester area following the water pollution incident of 15 April; how such advice was publicised or drawn to the attention of farmers; and at what times such advice was offered.
§ Mr. JackThe Department was alerted to the incident by the local office of the National Rivers Authority during the morning of 15 April. In the course of the day, Severn Trent water authority issued advice to all residents in the Worcester area not to drink, or use for washing, or wash in, tap water.
The MAFF regional office immediately established close contact with the Severn Trent water authority, the National Rivers Authority and Worcester environmental health department. The normal telephone inquiry service for farmers was operating at the MAFF regional office and was available throughout the weekend. As a precaution, following consultation with the Severn Trent water authority and the National Rivers Authority, farmer inquirers were advised to provide an alternative water supply for animals. The advisory warning was lifted on 16 April.
In consultation with MAFF, the Milk Marketing Board arranged that, pending a food safety risk assessment, milk collected from the affected area on 15 and 16 April should be diverted to processing rather than go for early liquid consumption. On 16 April, Ministry scientists confirmed that the incident did not pose any risk to food safety.