HC Deb 09 December 1997 vol 302 cc524-5W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of irradiated foodstuffs. [19791]

Mr. Rooker

The irradiation of food is permitted provided it has been irradiated in accordance with the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990 and labelled in accordance with the Food Labelling Regulations 1996. The Government support the common position text of the proposed food irradiation Directive agreed by the Council of Ministers on 27 October 1997.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of diagnostic tests to detect food that has been irradiated. [19790]

Mr. Rooker

The Department has developed an extensive range of methods to detect irradiated foods. Of these, four have been published in the Department's series of reports on non-statutory validated methods and a further six are currently in the process of being validated. Together, these cover all the categories of food that might be irradiated.