asked the Minister for Energy if he supports the EC Commission's proposal for an upper limit for the presence of radiation in food of 1,000 becquerels per kilo in dairy products, and 1,250 becquerels per kilo in other products; or if he supports the German proposals that the limits should be at a lower level.
Written Answers. - Radiation Levels in Food.
20.
The Deputy will probably be aware that this matter, which was one of concern both to myself and to my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food who had the main responsibility for the negotiations, has now been resolved. On the 22 December last, member states agreed to the extension of the existing post-Chernobyl limits of radiation in food for a further two years. These limits are 370 becquerels per litre for milk and 600 becquerels for other foodstuffs. Agreement was also reached on a regulation which will come into effect in the event of a nuclear accident or other radiological emergency. The levels agreed on in this regulation are 1,000 becquerels for milk and 1,250 becquerels for other foodstuffs. Although the levels in the accident-related regulation are not as restrictive as we would have liked, the Irish Government supported the proposal so as to ensure agreement on common standards in the Community.