Chamber and committees

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that following the Chernobyl incident, agricultural produce, other foodstuffs and water supplies were monitored so that action could be taken as necessary. In Scotland, initial restrictions on sheep movements affecting 2900 farms were put into force on 24 June 1986 and subsequently lifted. Restrictions were re-introduced in 1987 on 73 farms in south-west and central Scotland when monitoring indicated raised levels of radioactive caesium. Subsequent annual monitoring, as detailed in the table below has reduced the number of remaining restricted farms in Scotland to 11.

Year	Number of Farms Released From Restrictions
1991	3 Farms
1993	6 Farms
1994	12 Farms and 1 Part Farm
1995	3 Farms
1996	5 Farms and 1 Part Farm
1997	9 Farms and 2 Part Farms
1998	5 Farms and 2 Part Farms
1999	2 Farms and 1 Part Farm
2001	1 Farm and 1 Part Farm
No derestrictions in 2002, as no survey in 2001 due to foot and mouth restrictions
2003	2 farms
2004	2 farms
2005	3 farms

 

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that immediately following the Chernobyl incident, agricultural produce, other foodstuffs and water supplies were monitored so that action could be taken as necessary. In Scotland during 1987, raised levels of radioactive caesium were found in sheep in south-west and central Scotland. These farms had restrictions on sheep movements imposed. Sheep from these farms must be monitored for radioactivity prior to being moved off farm. Additionally, annual surveys of whole flocks are carried out on selected farms to assess whether they are suitable for derestriction.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that monitoring of sheep for radioactivity resulting from the Chernobyl incident in 1986 continues on 11 remaining restricted farms in Scotland. Monitoring is undertaken by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department on behalf of the Food Standards Agency Scotland. Sheep from these farms must be monitored for radioactivity prior to being moved off farm; additionally annual surveys of whole flocks are carried out on selected farms to assess whether they are suitable for derestriction.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there are no restrictions in place in Scotland relating to the harvesting of shellfish or other aquatic life forms, as a result of the Chernobyl accident.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that no farms in Scotland are restricted in the growing or trading of crops. Monitoring in Scotland as a result of the Chernobyl incident is limited to sheep on a few remaining restricted farms.

The Memorandum of Understanding established four multilateral concordats between the UK Government, the Scottish Executive, the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive Committee, covering:

1. The Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues.

2. Financial Assistance to Industry.

3. International Relations.

4. Statistics.

At present, there are twenty bi-lateral concordats between the Scottish Executive and individual UK Government departments, which are as follows:

1. Cabinet Office (Bib. number 27311).

2. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Bib. number 27310).

3. Department for Education and Employment (Bib. number 27309).

4. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Main Concordat) (Bib. number 22382).

5. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Subject specific concordat on Fisheries) (Bib. number 8401).

6. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Subject specific concordat on State Veterinary Services and Animal Disease Compensation) (Bib. number 15833).

7. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (British Cattle Movement Service) (Bib. number 12503).

8. General Registers Office (Bib. number 7534).

9. Department of Trade and Industry (Bib. number 8415).

10. HM Treasury and DTI (subject specific concordat on public procurement and related international obligations) (Bib. number 8416).

11. Health and Safety Executive (Bib. number 8414).

12. Department of Culture, Media and Sport (Bib. number 8413).

13. Ministry of Defence (Bib. number 8233).

14. European Structural Funds (Bib. number 8235).

15. HM Treasury (Bib. number 8232).

16. Department of Health (Bib. number 8236).

17. Home Office (Bib. number 8230).

18. Department of Work and Pensions (Bib. number 27312).

19. Department for Transport (Bib. number 34278).

20. Department for Constitutional Affairs (Bib. number 37866).

All concordats between the Scottish Executive and UK Government are lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre including any previous versions.

Since the Chernobyl Sheep Compensation Scheme was established in 1986, over £2.8 million has been paid in compensation to Scottish farmers. A breakdown of this expenditure by category of compensation is not available.

It is the duty of Scottish Water to recover or dispose of the human derived sewage sludge arising from its treatment processes in accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, the Waste Incineration (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003, as amended where appropriate, depending on the disposal option in question.

None. It is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to conduct its regulatory function in relation to the recovery or disposal of sewage sludge and other waste in terms of the applicable legislation. This includes the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989, the Waste Incineration (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003, as amended where appropriate, depending on the disposal option in question.

The Scottish Executive is in frequent contact with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water about a wide range of matters related to those bodies’ responsibilities, of which the disposal of sewage sludge is one.