‘Pure products’ to be grown in former protective zone near radiation reserve - Belarus Deputy PM
In late July, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka disestablished a protective zone around the Polesie State Radiation Ecological Reserve.
Protected zone of 1 kilometer had been established to prevent the spread of radionuclides beyond the reserve. In the protection zone it was forbidden to sow, hunt, and fish.
Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy said in an interview to state-run TV station STV whether food products would be grown in the former buffer zone.
“I just want not to be misunderstood. We have a radiation ecological reserve. We have very strict requirements of the quality and purity of pure products, even criminal liability is provided. Heaven forbid they will be radioactive. We have learned how to grow pure products using a protective measure in the areas of 1.5 to 5 curies. Consequently, the products should be pure,” Mikhail Rusy stressed.
According to him, the buffer zone in question was once established as an additional protective measure. President Lukashenka changed its status ‘at the request repeatedly of the local authorities, in particular Homiel Oblast Executive Committee,’ the top official stated.
“It is controllable. Therefore, each field to be sown will be inspected for the presence of radionuclides. If, God forbid, there is the smallest deviation, no one sow anything there,” he said.
The local authorities’ intention to ‘proactively engage the lands near the reserve in the country’s agriculture was announced after June’s visit of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Belsat.eu
