§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which farms in Scotland are subject to restrictions because of fall-out from Chernobyl; what was the total compensation paid to all affected farms in each of the past 10 years; how long it is estimated restrictions will continue in force; what is his estimate of the total future cost involved; and if he will make a statement. [27917]
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§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonFollowing the de-restrictions which took effect from 17 January 1996, 36 farms in Scotland remain affected by post-Chernobyl controls on the movement and slaughter of sheep. These farms are located in the following council areas: Stirling, 11 farms; East Ayrshire, 16 farms; East Renfrewshire, three farms; and Dumfries and Galloway, six farms.
The sheep compensation scheme was introduced in July 1986 to compensate farmers whose enterprises had been disrupted as a result of statutory movement and slaughter restrictions. The total paid to date is detailed in the table.
Financial year Expenditure £ 1986–87 1,388,135 1987–88 160,987 1988–89 151,937 1989–90 178,206 1990–91 164,820 1991–92 141,307 1992–93 107,769 1993–94 98,044 1994–95 100,637 1995–96 80,827 Restrictions are reviewed on a regular basis and are removed wherever the monitoring of sheep has revealed residual radioactivity to have declined to within acceptable levels. The downward trend in radiocaesium activity levels is welcome. However, it is not possible to indicate at this time when all restrictions may be removed or to estimate total future costs involved.
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