The drought has hit the meat industry badly.

But Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK is urging farmers not to export their livestock to help make ends meet.

Manx farmers have been affected by this year’s dry conditions and are struggling with a drop in market price and a lack of feed due to low crop yields.

The Department of the Enviornment, Food and Agriculture recently announced a 10% advance of the financial support provided through the Agricultural Development Scheme for helping Manx farmers’ cash flow.

Mr Boot told the Courier: ’Farming is not being very profitable at the moment, but we’re looking to help them through.

’There is a shortage of bedding and food grown as well as silage and fodder across the island. However, we’re not able to quantify what the problem may be at the moment.

’We’re working very hard with the farming community and we’re working with the dairy industry and the meat industry.’

He said that talks were taking place with the Manx National Farmers’ Union.

The Minister added that since the UK and the Republic of Ireland were also struggling with the drought that Manx farmers were ’no better off exporting animals than giving it to a local processor’.

’In 1995 the island had a very dry year, if I recall, which was not very good for the farmers. The year 1975 is renowned as the worst year ever for farmers,’ he continued.

’And a few years ago we had the deep snow. Farming is never predictable due to the weather, which we cannot control. There are situations that do arise and it’s not always comfortable for farmers.’

In this week’s Manx Independent Clare Lewis of Goats Isle of Man, Kirk Michael, said she was considering exporting livestock to Scotland.

Mr Boot says that since goat farms are ’not mainstream’ they might ’need to take advantage of that market’ if supplies are low and it is financially viable.

The island’s state-owned abattoir has a new boss. He spoke about his role to the Isle of Man Examiner this week.