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At the end of last year, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) evaluated the monitoring of radioactive contamination of selected foodstuffs and crops. The presence of cesium radionuclides (137 Cs) was monitored in 20 samples of potatoes, barley, wheat, oat, rye, tomatoes, apples and pears from farmers from precisely identifiable areas in the Czech Republic, and in one sample of frozen mushrooms originating in the Ukraine. All samples were evaluated as satisfactory.

In the Member States, there is great emphasis put on the radiation monitoring. In addition to the whole food chain (including feedstuffs) it includes environment and imports of foodstuffs and agricultural products from third countries.

In the Czech Republic, the monitoring of foodstuffs and feedstuffs is ensured by the nationwide Radiation Monitoring Network. In addition to the CAFIA, this Network includes the State Office for Nuclear Safety, the National Radiation Protection Institute and the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture. The Regulation (EC) No. 1661/1999 has laid down specific conditions for imports of selected groups of wild mushrooms from some third countries. According to these conditions, every consignment has to be provided with an export certificate and with laboratory results of the level of radioactive contamination.

In August last year, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority and the State Office for Nuclear Safety concluded an Agreement that, among others, specified the conditions for monitoring foodstuffs in the Czech Republic. This year the CAFIA will monitor the occurrence of radioactive contamination on a more extensive scale in accordance with this Agreement.