MSPs extend ban on gathering seafood

A BAN on gathering seafood and bait from a beach which has radioactive particles present has been extended.

Earlier this month, an emergency order lasting 28 days made it an offence for seafood to be collected at Dalgety Bay in Fife. The extension has been agreed by MSPs at Holyrood’s health committee.

The move was described as a “precautionary measure” because of radioactive items on the beach. Although there is no commercial fishing or shellfish industry in the area, individuals are known to collect shellfish.

Warning signs had been in place for some time, but new evidence indicated that radioactive particles could be ingested by fish, including shellfish. An assessment by the Food Standards Agency said this could pose a risk.

Radioactive material was found on the foreshore of Dalgety Bay in 1990.