Up to 359 Welsh farms remain under restrictions imposed after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, more than 22 years after the Soviet plant's meltdown. The Food Standards Agency Wales released the figures ahead of the anniversary of the world's worst nuclear accident.
Upland farms in Wales were particularly affected when heavy rain washed radioactive material from clouds onto fields. The radiation is absorbed from soil by plants, which are then eaten by sheep. For hundreds of farmers, this means animals can only enter the food chain after rigorous safety tests.
Glyn Roberts, vice-president of the Farmers' Union of Wales, manages two farms near Betws-y-Coed, Conwy. His 850-acre Trawnant farm is subject to restrictions, while his 220-acre hill farm is exempt. Moving animals between the two requires permission from Welsh Assembly Government officials and strict monitoring. 'In September and October, when I bring the sheep down from the mountain to the hill farm, I have to paint a red mark on them,' he said. 'When there's a red mark on the sheep, the Welsh Assembly Government comes to count them and they cannot be used for human consumption.'
Farmers must request testing for painted sheep to enter the food chain. Animals with radiation levels above 1,000 becquerels per kilogram are rejected. A compensation scheme pays £1.30 per lamb for retesting, a figure unchanged since its introduction over 20 years ago. Despite the challenges, Mr Roberts noted that Welsh lamb now has an unparalleled reputation for safety.
The Chernobyl disaster released vast amounts of radiation, with 70% of fallout landing in Belarus's Gomel region. The World Health Organisation estimates at least 4,000 cancer deaths resulted. The Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity organises holidays in Wales for affected children, with members Ann and Dave Sage saying a trip can add two years to a child's life.
