HC Deb 07 July 1997 vol 297 cc384-5W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the maximum permitted level of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs following(a) a nuclear accident and (b) any other case of radiological emergency for nuclides of half-life greater than 10 days. [6401]

Mr. Rooker

Derived reference levels, which may he used as a basis for the fixing of maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs, are set by several European Union Regulations. These levels apply both to nuclear accidents and to any other case of nuclear emergency which is likely to lead, or has led, to significant radioactive contamination of food. The situation regarding the maximum permitted levels for radionuclides with a half-life of greater than 10 days is complicated, hut for most such nuclides and foods, a level of 1,250 Bq/kg would apply.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of a criticality in an underground repository on foodstuffs. [6407]

Mr. Rooker

No such assessment had been made. If an application for authorisation of an underground repository is made, MAFF will fulfil its role in assessing the associated safety case to ensure the safety of foodstuffs. This will encompass all relevant scenarios for the release of radionuclides.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of technetium 99 has been found in lobsters obtained from the Irish sea in the vicinity of Sellafield; and if it exceeds the maximum permitted level of radioactive contamination of food-stuffs for nuclides of half-life greater than 10 days. [6551]

Mr. Rooker

As reported in the MAFF report, "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment", the average level of technetium-99 in lobsters from the Irish Sea close to Sellafield was 8,300 Bq/kg in 1995. In 1996 the average level was 9,150 Bq/kg. The EU maximum permitted level of 1.250 Bq/kg only applies in the event of a nuclear accident and is not relevant in this case.

The level would be applied in the early stages of an accident before an assessment can be made and is based on the most restrictive radionuclides. The radiological significance of technetium-99 is low in comparison. The annual radiation exposure to the most exposed group associated with lobster consumption was 18 µSv/year in 1995 and 29 µSv/year in 1996. This can be compared with the public dose limit of 1000 µSv/year and presents no food safety concerns.