The Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister has pledged to push for quick decisions on issues facing the island’s farming industry.

It’s after a government meeting with the Manx National Farmers’ Union for the first time since the organisation declared a vote of no confidence in the department’s senior leadership.

Dr Rachel Glover said she was keen to identify where practical decisions could be taken quickly, following Friday’s meeting with Chief Minister Chris Thomas and the MNFU.

The meeting comes less than three weeks after the union accused the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) of failing to address serious problems facing farmers.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, the union said confidence in the department’s senior leadership had ‘broken down’ over disputes involving agricultural funding, food security, livestock imports and access to markets.

It called for an urgent review of the department’s leadership and changes to be made.

Following Friday’s meeting, Dr Glover said: ‘I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the MNFU and hear directly about the challenges and priorities facing the sector.

‘I am keen to build on the discussion and identify where practical decisions can be taken quickly, while continuing to work through the wider issues together.’

The minister said agriculture played a vital role in the island’s economy, environment, rural communities and food security.

She added that the government remained committed to working collaboratively with the farming community to support a sustainable and resilient future for Manx agriculture.

Dr Glover also said she was looking forward to visiting farms and speaking directly with farmers, with the MNFU helping to arrange those visits.

The government had previously pledged to meet the union within 10 working days of its vote of no confidence, with the incoming minister expected to consider whether changes were needed after engaging with the sector.

The MNFU’s October letter raised concerns about rising production costs, declining farm profitability and what it described as a lack of progress on the government’s Food Security Plan.

It also highlighted difficulties importing breeding livestock from Northern Ireland following disruption to ferry services after the Manxman broke down.

The union said the situation had left farmers facing increased costs and longer journeys to transport animals through Great Britain.

It also criticised DEFA’s handling of differences in BSE risk status between the Isle of Man and Great Britain, which it said had restricted trade and devalued cattle.

The MNFU questioned government spending on Isle of Man Meats, arguing that greater support was needed for agriculture more widely.

The union said it remained willing to work constructively with government but wanted leadership prepared to acknowledge problems and take decisive action.

Friday’s meeting was the first opportunity for the new administration to discuss those concerns directly with the union.

The government has not announced whether any changes will be made to DEFA’s senior leadership.