MANAGEMENT METHODS OF REDUCING RADIONUCLIDE CONTAMINATION OF ANIMAL FOOD-PRODUCTS IN SEMINATURAL ECOSYSTEMS

Countermeasures involving changes in management practices which are su itable for use in semi-natural ecosystems are described. Most of the r elevant information relates to radiocaesium, but the applicability for some other radionuclides has also been evaluated. Improved live-monit oring techniques for radiocaesium, developed since the Chernobyl accid ent, allow the identification of animals whose contamination levels ex ceed the intervention limits, so that countermeasures can be effective ly chosen and targeted. Generally the most effective approach for dome sticated and semi-domesticated animals is either to remove contaminate d animals from the affected area or to provide uncontaminated feed. Un contaminated feed is given continuously for dairy animals or in the fi nal fattening stages for meat-producing animals. The introduction of o ther effective changes in management practices, such as changing hunti ng seasons for game, or slaughtering at a time of year when the animal s have been grazing on less contaminated herbage, depends on a good un derstanding of the behaviour of radionuclides in these ecosystems. In practice, the most effective countermeasures which can be used to redu ce radionuclide contamination of animals in semi-natural ecosystems wi ll be obtained by a combination of both management changes and the use of chemical binders to prevent gut absorption.