Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 May 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 May 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 24 May 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of when all upland grazing areas in the United Kingdom will be free of contamination from the fall-out from Chernobyl.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of when all upland grazing areas in the United Kingdom will be free of contamination from the fall-out from Chernobyl. [84894] Mr. Rooker: Regular assessments are made of radiocaesium levels in sheep in affected areas to determine the prospects for removing controls and further reducing the areas subject to restrictions. Whilst generally declining, radiocaesium from the Chernobyl accident is still present in some upland areas in the United Kingdom. The rate of decline is dependent on the complex interaction between such factors as soil type, vegetation, weather, drainage and grazing preference. Consequently it is not possible to specify a time at which all these areas will be free of Chernobyl contamination.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 84894; 332 c41W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Agriculture Land Radioactivity Sheep Radioactive fallout Chernobyl