Farmers Union declare no confidence in department's senior leadership

The Manx National Farmers’ Union has formally declared a vote of no confidence in the senior leadership of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).

It has accused the government department of failing to address serious problems facing the island’s agricultural industry.

In an open letter sent to the new Chief Minister Chris Thomas, Isle of Man Government chief executive Mark Lewin and Members of Tynwald, the union said confidence in the department had broken down following disputes over agricultural funding, food security, livestock imports and access to markets.

The letter, dated Wednesday, October 14, calls on the incoming administration to carry out an urgent review of the department’s leadership and make changes, including replacing those the union believes have failed the industry.

The MNFU said agriculture had endured a series of setbacks and Government failures in recent years, many of which it believes could have been avoided.

It highlighted concerns over rising production costs, declining farm profitability, restricted routes to market and the impact these issues were having on the island’s ability to produce its own food.

The union also accused DEFA’s senior leadership of excluding agricultural representatives from important discussions about food security, land management and carbon policy.

It said: ‘As a consequence of the current senior leadership approach, industry confidence in the Department has broken down.’

One of the key concerns raised was the difficulty of importing breeding livestock from Northern Ireland following disruption to ferry services after the Manxman broke down this summer.

The MNFU said it had negotiated a route to import breeding stock from Northern Ireland while maintaining biosecurity safeguards, but the subsequent changes to Steam Packet sailings created difficulties transporting animals to the island.

The union claimed DEFA’s senior leadership had been reluctant to act quickly, leaving farmers facing the prospect of transporting livestock through Scotland and England, increasing costs and journey times.

It said intervention from the then Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, Treasury Minister Mr Thomas and other MHKs had been necessary to address the situation.

The letter also criticised the department’s handling of differences in BSE risk status between the island and Great Britain, which the union said had restricted trade and devalued cattle, causing significant financial losses for farmers.

It argued that the department had failed to adequately address the consequences for producers.

The MNFU also raised concerns about public funding for Isle of Man Meats, saying millions of pounds in additional Government expenditure had failed to provide certainty for producers or demonstrate value for the public.

It said the meat plant, the creamery and the flour mill were essential to food security and should be supported as strategic assets, but argued that spending on the meat plant had overshadowed funding for agriculture more widely.

The union said the agricultural budget had remained broadly static for more than 15 years despite rising production costs and global instability.

It also criticised what it described as a lack of progress on the Government’s Food Security Plan, claiming it had repeatedly requested updates without receiving evidence of action.

The letter concluded that the continued decline of Manx agriculture and loss of market opportunities demonstrated the need for a change in leadership.

It said the union remained willing to work constructively with Government but needed leadership prepared to acknowledge problems and take decisive action.

The MNFU has requested a written response within 10 days, saying immediate action is required.

Isle of Man Today has contacted DEFA for comment.