Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate the Food Standards Agency has made of the risk of lead contamination in (a) silage and (b) animal feed produced on floodplains downstream of historical lead mining sites.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.
The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4
This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.
The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to (a) assess and (b) mitigate the risk of lead contamination in (i) allotments and (ii) other food growing areas located on floodplains downstream of historical lead mines.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.
The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4
This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.
The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Food Standards Agency's planned review of dietary lead will consider the extent of contamination up to 100 kilometres downstream of historical lead mining sites.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.
The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4
This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.
The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to (a) ensure regular public data releases and (b) improve the timeliness of data available.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is strongly committed to upholding the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, and its three constituent pillars of trustworthiness, quality, and value. As such, the Department is committed to releasing timely data at a frequency that meets the needs of users, as far as practicable.
For example, over the winter, NHS England increased the frequency of its publications of data on urgent and emergency care, in response to the increased need for this data at this time.
The Heads of Profession for Statistics in the Department and its arm’s-length bodies ensure that statistical producers continually review their products and improve the quality and frequency of publication, in line with the needs of the users of data and statistics.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Health and social care statistical outputs which closed on 5 March 2024, when he plans to respond to that consultation; and if he will publish a timeline for implementing the recommendations of that consultation.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department expects to publish a response to the consultation this year. Work is ongoing across the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and the Office for National Statistics to agree and align proposals following the feedback from users.
Any resulting changes to statistical publications will be made in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The timings of each of these will vary by publication.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to work with local authorities in areas with high numbers of abandoned lead mines to help ensure adequate (a) monitoring and (b) public awareness of potential lead contamination in locally produced food.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.
Previous reviews of lead have shown that while exposures are not a health concern for the majority of the population, a small risk to some individuals arising from exposure to high levels of lead in soil, dust, or in drinking water cannot be excluded. The FSA has started scoping this work, including considering what, if any, additional sampling may be required as well as identifying what information is already available to inform the assessment.
Local authorities are responsible for inspecting contaminated land and addressing any issues arising from it under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued advice about the use of potentially contaminated residential land for food. The UKHSA says that, to date, there is very limited data linking any health effects with land contamination in England. People should follow normal hygiene precautions and wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or an allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink. It is further advised that produce grown in the soil is washed and peeled, in order to remove any soil or dust.
The outcome of our review will inform the need for additional guidance or other risk management measures, such as changes to permitted levels in different food categories.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to make an assessment of the potential health risks to people living near old lead mine sites who consume (a) locally grown vegetables and (b) locally produced eggs.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.
Previous reviews of lead have shown that while exposures are not a health concern for the majority of the population, a small risk to some individuals arising from exposure to high levels of lead in soil, dust, or in drinking water cannot be excluded. The FSA has started scoping this work, including considering what, if any, additional sampling may be required as well as identifying what information is already available to inform the assessment.
Local authorities are responsible for inspecting contaminated land and addressing any issues arising from it under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued advice about the use of potentially contaminated residential land for food. The UKHSA says that, to date, there is very limited data linking any health effects with land contamination in England. People should follow normal hygiene precautions and wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or an allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink. It is further advised that produce grown in the soil is washed and peeled, in order to remove any soil or dust.
The outcome of our review will inform the need for additional guidance or other risk management measures, such as changes to permitted levels in different food categories.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the scope of the Food Standards Agency’s review of dietary lead as part of its risk analysis programme covers areas with high concentrations of abandoned lead mines.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.
Previous reviews of lead have shown that while exposures are not a health concern for the majority of the population, a small risk to some individuals arising from exposure to high levels of lead in soil, dust, or in drinking water cannot be excluded. The FSA has started scoping this work, including considering what, if any, additional sampling may be required as well as identifying what information is already available to inform the assessment.
Local authorities are responsible for inspecting contaminated land and addressing any issues arising from it under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued advice about the use of potentially contaminated residential land for food. The UKHSA says that, to date, there is very limited data linking any health effects with land contamination in England. People should follow normal hygiene precautions and wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or an allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink. It is further advised that produce grown in the soil is washed and peeled, in order to remove any soil or dust.
The outcome of our review will inform the need for additional guidance or other risk management measures, such as changes to permitted levels in different food categories.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Food Standards Agency plans to develop guidance for residents in areas with high environmental lead contamination on the safe consumption of locally produced food.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.
Previous reviews of lead have shown that while exposures are not a health concern for the majority of the population, a small risk to some individuals arising from exposure to high levels of lead in soil, dust, or in drinking water cannot be excluded. The FSA has started scoping this work, including considering what, if any, additional sampling may be required as well as identifying what information is already available to inform the assessment.
Local authorities are responsible for inspecting contaminated land and addressing any issues arising from it under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued advice about the use of potentially contaminated residential land for food. The UKHSA says that, to date, there is very limited data linking any health effects with land contamination in England. People should follow normal hygiene precautions and wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or an allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink. It is further advised that produce grown in the soil is washed and peeled, in order to remove any soil or dust.
The outcome of our review will inform the need for additional guidance or other risk management measures, such as changes to permitted levels in different food categories.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Food Standards Agency plans to conduct targeted testing of food products in areas with high concentrations of abandoned lead mines.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.
Previous reviews of lead have shown that while exposures are not a health concern for the majority of the population, a small risk to some individuals arising from exposure to high levels of lead in soil, dust, or in drinking water cannot be excluded. The FSA has started scoping this work, including considering what, if any, additional sampling may be required as well as identifying what information is already available to inform the assessment.
Local authorities are responsible for inspecting contaminated land and addressing any issues arising from it under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued advice about the use of potentially contaminated residential land for food. The UKHSA says that, to date, there is very limited data linking any health effects with land contamination in England. People should follow normal hygiene precautions and wash their hands thoroughly after working in the garden or an allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink. It is further advised that produce grown in the soil is washed and peeled, in order to remove any soil or dust.
The outcome of our review will inform the need for additional guidance or other risk management measures, such as changes to permitted levels in different food categories.