HC Deb 11 May 2004 vol 421 cc207-8W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in England, comprising what land areas and in what locations, still have restrictions applied to them in respect of land use as a result of the residual radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident. [169877]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I have been asked to reply.

There have been no restrictions on land use as a result of the Chernobyl accident. However, restrictions have been placed on the sale, movement and slaughter of sheep in areas affected by the Chernobyl accident, to prevent contaminated sheep meat from entering the food supply.

The number of farms and area of land affected, as of 30 April 2004, are as follows:

  • Number of farms—nine
  • Land area (ha)—12,100
  • Location—West Cumbria.