Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
436 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 27.8%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) reveal an authority that is selectively transparent, often releasing historical or aggregate data while vigorously protecting current operational details, enforcement identities, and policy formulations. A clear pattern emerges regarding financial accountability: while the department disclosed a comprehensive list of 346 farmer payments for 2015 (355013), subsequent requests for similar granular data were frequently blocked as 'repeated' (914723) or redirected to public websites (462340). This suggests a reluctance to provide real-time financial scrutiny of agricultural subsidies, even as significant public funds, such as the £500,000 in meat plant subventions (355069), are acknowledged.
Key Cases
Case 355013 — A rare instance of full transparency where the department disclosed a list of 346 individual farmer payment amounts for 2015, setting a benchmark for financial openness that was not consistently maintained in later years.
Case 675466 — The release of the full 53-page investigation report into the Snaefell Mountain Railway runaway tram incident, overturning a previous refusal (563738) and demonstrating that safety data is eventually accessible once legal proceedings conclude.
Case 355047 — A complete refusal to disclose details of a planning enforcement complaint on Kella Road, citing confidential information and ongoing investigations, highlighting the department's strict protection of enforcement processes from public view.
Case 355057 — The withholding of heavy metal analysis and leachate results for Peel Marina under 'policy formulation' exemptions, raising concerns about the transparency of environmental risk assessments and waste management data.
Case 355035 — A request regarding Lorne House was deemed 'vexatious' after partial fulfillment, illustrating the department's use of resource burden arguments to halt persistent inquiries into specific planning or housing issues.
Related FOI Stories
The Meat Plant Saga: Funding, Tenders, and Safety — #355069, #355075, #355099, #355087, #625866
Planning Enforcement and Whistleblower Protection — #355047, #355079, #361141, #856665, #922953
Environmental Data: Leachate, Dredging, and Water Quality — #355045, #355057, #500235, #935114, #1165449
Agricultural Subsidies and Farmer Payments — #355013, #355063, #462340, #914723, #973789
Safety Incidents: Railways and Transport — #355051, #563738, #675466, #682066
All (436)
All information sent (121) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (90) ·
Information not held (71) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (52) ·
Some information sent but not all held (38) ·
Not upheld (22) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (16) ·
Not required to fulfill request (12) ·
Upheld - partial (6) ·
Repeated request (4) ·
Withdrawn (1) ·
Vexatious request (1) ·
Upheld - full (1) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint not upheld (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | ownership of silverdale cafe and new accommodations. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought ownership details and annual lease income for the Silverdale Café and accommodations. The authority confirmed government ownership but withheld income figures citing commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2026-02-24 | Enforcement of Section 57 Public Health Act 1990 | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for details on the enforcement of Section 57 of the Public Health Act 1990 regarding illegal waste deposit, including responsible authorities, internal guidance, and five-year statistics. The response confirms the request was received and processed, but the provided text cuts off before disclosing the specific enforcement details or statistics. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | Climate change transformation board | All information sent |
| The request sought membership details, meeting records, remuneration, and terms of reference for the Climate Change Transformation Board. The authority disclosed the full membership list, appointment dates, person specifications for advisors, and the revised terms of reference, though the provided text does not explicitly contain meeting attendance records or remuneration details. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | Delegation of planning functions to a Planning Committee. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for hyperlinks to all DEFA Minister delegations of planning functions under the Government Departments Act 1987 since February 2020, specifically regarding the Planning Committee. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided some information but withheld specific details citing an absolute exemption for personal data. | ||
| 2026-02-16 | Earystane Forest | Information not held |
| Cair Vie Resistance requested confirmation of any agreements or approvals regarding the sale or transfer of Earystane Forest and Cringle Great Park to Manx Utilities Authority. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such agreements, memoranda, or ministerial approvals exist. | ||
| 2026-02-10 | Copy of internal DEFA emails sent externally | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought internal DEFA emails and external correspondence related to a planning appeal involving Dandara Homes Limited. The authority disclosed some external correspondence but withheld specific information citing exemptions for personal data and legal professional privilege, while stating it did not hold records regarding the release of the specific internal emails. | ||
| 2026-02-09 | Patrick Commoners' Allotment Management & Restrictions | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for legal title deeds, byelaw documentation, and environmental surveys regarding the Patrick Commoners' Allotment and motorcycle restrictions. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that some information was sent, but not all requested data is held by the department. | ||
| 2026-02-06 | Meat Plant Subsidy | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The applicant requested a breakdown of Treasury subsidies for IOM Meats from January 2015 to January 2026. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the data directly, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via the Government Accounts website. | ||
| 2026-02-05 | Interventions by Environmental Protection Unit for waste disposal | All information sent |
| The request sought confirmation of Environmental Protection Unit interventions regarding high-volume waste disposal risks and associated costs over the last 12-18 months. The Department confirmed two interventions involving commercial companies, violations of the Public Health Act 1990, and that while no direct taxpayer costs were incurred for waste removal, officer time was utilized. | ||
| 2026-02-04 | Castletown Golf Links Hotel | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence regarding the Castletown Golf Links Hotel demolition between DEFA and Langness Golf Course Limited from 2022 to 2026. The authority released partial information, including a detailed email from February 2026 outlining environmental precautions for bats, runoff management, and sewage investigations, while redacting specific sections. | ||
| 2026-01-30 | Reports | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for all DEFA commissioned reports on Isle of Man Meats since 2022, but the Department withheld the information citing an exemption for material intended for future publication. | ||
| 2026-01-29 | Costs of engaging the off-Island Planning Consultant re silt PAs | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for detailed costs and justification regarding the engagement of off-Island Planning Consultant Mr Andrew Sierakowski for three specific silt management planning applications. The authority responded with a partial disclosure, stating that some information was sent but not all was held, though the provided text cuts off before detailing the specific costs or reasons for withholding data. | ||
| 2026-01-22 | Transportation of, and dumping of silt from Peel Marina at Cross Vein | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the total or estimated cost of an Environmental Impact Assessment for a planning application regarding silt transportation from Peel Marina. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2026-01-21 | Costs of transportation of silt from Peel Marina to Cross Vein mine | Information not held |
| A request was made for cost estimates regarding the transportation of silt from Peel Marina to Cross Vein Mine and associated remediation works. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2026-01-20 | Environmental Regulation of Waste Tyres and Watercourse Blockages | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding the regulation, disposal, and enforcement of waste tyres and watercourse blockages on the Isle of Man. The authority responded with a partial disclosure, stating that some information was sent while other parts were exempt, though the specific content of the disclosure is cut off in the provided text. | ||
| 2025-12-10 | Tree felling | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding revenue from tree felling shipped by Mezeron Freight, but no information was disclosed. | ||
| 2025-12-10 | PL 777 BOY SHAYNE 2 | Information not held |
| A request was made to determine if a loan accompanied a 40% subsidy for the purchase of the fishing vessel PL 777 Boy Shayne. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such loan was provided, resulting in the information not being held. | ||
| 2025-12-03 | 'Manx meat in Tesco' | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding the production, subsidies, and environmental impact of Isle of Man meats sold in Tesco. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information because Isle of Man Meats is not a public authority under the Freedom of Information Act. | ||
| 2025-12-02 | Reayrt Vradda - Demolition Waste | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a waste exemption application form submitted by Reayrt Vradda in August 2023 and an explanation for why the matter was not followed up if no form existed. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no written application was ever received, though site inspections confirmed the waste was used for approved construction purposes under existing regulations. | ||
| 2025-11-26 | Carbon Literacy Training | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request sought the specific benefits and efficiency impacts of £50,450.38 spent on Carbon Literacy training, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture clarified the actual cost was £42,350.38 and refused to provide interpretative opinions on the training's value, instead directing the requester to a project review document. | ||
| 2025-11-26 | Agri-Environmental Budget | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for Agri-Environment Annual Payment Reports for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to investigate rumors of budget reallocation to a meat plant. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture withheld the reports under Section 41 as they are held for future publication, but confirmed the budget was not reallocated. | ||
| 2025-11-25 | Information regarding external services for animal culling | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on external contracts for animal culling and consultancy services by the Isle of Man's DEFA between November 2023 and November 2025. The authority confirmed engagements with off-island bodies and local pest control companies but withheld specific names, costs, and procurement details for certain activities. | ||
| 2025-11-14 | Fishing boat PL 777 Boy Shayne | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on government grants for the fishing boat Boy Shayne, including purchase price contributions and date. The authority confirmed a 40% grant was provided under a 2003 scheme but withheld the owner's contribution due to personal data exemptions and stated the specific purchase date is not recorded. | ||
| 2025-11-12 | Longest planning permission pending | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the longest pending planning application, including its duration, reference number, and reasons for delay. The authority disclosed the reference number and reason for the delay but directed the requester to an online portal to determine the specific duration, citing that this information is already reasonably accessible. | ||
| 2025-11-12 | Isle of Man LiDAR data | Information not held |
| A request was made for island-wide LiDAR data (xyz, intensity, and/or rgb) from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, but the authority confirmed it does not hold this information. | ||
| 2025-11-06 | Reayrt Vradda | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester sought documentation regarding the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's alleged failure to enforce planning conditions at the Reayrt Vradda glamping site concerning permanent residence. The authority withheld all requested information, citing an ongoing investigation that could lead to criminal proceedings. | ||
| 2025-10-28 | Halal slaughter | Information not held |
| A request was made for statistics on the percentage of sheep slaughtered using Halal methods and details on sheep exports from the Isle of Man. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
| 2025-10-17 | Oversight and staff competence relating to bull escape incident | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought DEFA's oversight documents and staff competence records regarding a bull escape incident at Isle of Man Meats. The authority released some internal emails detailing the incident timeline and public reaction but withheld specific investigation reports and competency audit data under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-10-10 | Understanding of tender process | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request for specific rent amounts from the Swiss Chalet tender was partially refused under commercial interest exemptions, though a summary rental range was disclosed. | ||
| 2025-10-09 | Statute enabling removal of an ADS application from annual mailing. | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for statutory documentation permitting the arbitrary removal of ADS participants from annual mailings or the refusal of application forms. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the documents under Section 20, stating the information is already reasonably accessible via the ADS Farmers' Handbook and the Agricultural Development Scheme 2019 legislation. | ||
| 2025-10-03 | Handling of complaints & malicious reports | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for policies and data regarding the handling of malicious complaints and reporting procedures. The authority responded with a partial disclosure, providing some information while withholding other details under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-09-24 | Proposed Tree Removal (Public Notice dated 16th September 2025) | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence, arborist reports, maps, licenses, and ecological surveys regarding proposed tree removal in a recreational field in Douglas. The authority provided some correspondence but withheld personal data under absolute exemption and stated that certain arborist reports were not held or could not be found. | ||
| 2025-09-09 | Single Use Vapes Ban - Lack of Progress | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the post-consultation report and progress update regarding a ban on single-use vapes, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated the information is not currently held due to resource constraints. | ||
| 2025-09-09 | The latest food hygiene breaches and scores of one or zero | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for a list of food premises with hygiene scores of zero or one and associated enforcement actions between May and September 2025. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture withheld all information under Section 41, citing that the data is held for future publication as part of a new hygiene scheme. | ||
| 2025-09-09 | Illegal destruction of ancient field boundary? | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A requester asked for documentation regarding the alleged illegal removal of an ancient hedge and the subsequent renumbering of field 224777 in Ballaugh Curraghs. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed that no application or enforcement records existed for the hedge removal, but provided paperwork concerning the field number change, with some personal details redacted. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | [REDACTED] | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-09-08 | Fallen Stock costs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-08-27 | Inspectors Report AP25/0003 | Upheld - partial |
| The request sought details on the circulation and ministerial powers regarding Planning Appeal AP25/0003, but the response primarily disclosed correspondence concerning a different appeal (PA 24/00713/A) where an MHK questioned the release of a Strategic Reserve Site. | ||
| 2025-08-19 | Carbon Literacy Training | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made regarding the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's contract with Earthscope for carbon literacy training, including questions about costs, tendering, and personal relationships of the company founders. The authority confirmed the contract details and costs but withheld information regarding the personal relationship between Sarah Mercer and Rob Mercer MLC as they do not hold that data. | ||
| 2025-08-15 | AG's advice to [REDACTED] 26 July 2019 | Information not held |
| A request was made for Attorney General's advice dated 26 July 2019, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that the information is not held. The authority accepted a submitted Stage 2 appeal form as a Stage 1 internal review after consulting the Attorney General's Chambers. | ||
| 2025-08-15 | Food Hygiene Inspection & Enforcement (0&1 Rated Premises) 2024 | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for details on food hygiene inspections and enforcement actions for premises rated 0 or 1 between January and June 2024. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused the request, citing an exemption because the data is held for future publication as part of a new scheme. | ||
| 2025-08-13 | DEFA responds to former MHK's calls for referendum - 13.08.25 | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for data on resident support, evidence for government statements, and cost-effectiveness analyses regarding the Isle of Man's net-zero targets. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that while the information is held, it is exempt from disclosure, resulting in no information being sent. | ||
| 2025-08-07 | Sales from the Meat Plant | Information not held |
| A cafe owner requested an explanation for why Isle of Man Meat Plant products cannot be sold directly to food businesses and asked for the relevant legislation. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold the specific information requested, citing a political position to protect the butchery sector and noting that the Meat Plant is not a public authority under the FOIA. | ||
| 2025-08-05 | IOM Meats Accounts | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester sought audited financial accounts for Isle of Man Meats from 2021 to the latest year, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture withheld the 2022-23 accounts under a future publication exemption and stated it did not hold the 2023-24 and 2024-25 accounts. | ||
| 2025-07-24 | Snuff the Wind | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The applicant requested data proving that the closure of Snuff the Wind stopped silting in Peel harbour, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide new information. | ||
| 2025-07-17 | Advice to Douglas City Council - burial of post cremation metals | All information sent |
| The applicant requested details regarding DEFA's advice to Douglas City Council that a Waste Management Licence is not required for burying post-cremation metals. DEFA disclosed the relevant legislation consulted and specific extracts from the Cremation Regulations 2000, citing Section 20 to withhold full lists and extracts as they are publicly accessible. | ||
| 2025-07-03 | Laws, Regulations and Restrictions Relating to Harbour Areas | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The applicant requested documentation regarding environmental and operational restrictions for commercial use of Ramsey Harbour quayside adjacent to residential properties between January 2020 and present. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture partially disclosed relevant legislation under the Water Pollution Act 1993 but cited Section 20 to withhold information deemed reasonably accessible by other means. | ||
| 2025-07-02 | Reyart Vradda | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for correspondence regarding material imports at the Reayrt Vradda site between January 2022 and July 2025. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some documents but withheld personal information under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2025-07-02 | Planning Conditions for Willaston Development (No. 20/01220/B) | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought all documents regarding compliance with planning conditions for the Willaston Apartments development, specifically bat/bird surveys and tree protection plans. The authority released some correspondence and reports but redacted significant portions of the email chain, resulting in a partial exemption outcome. | ||
| 2025-06-24 | Earthscope tender & contract, follow up questions - reference 4632837 | Not upheld |
| The requester sought clarification on procurement irregularities, missing documentation, and potential governance failures regarding the Earthscope contract for the Net Zero Isle of Man project. The authority's response provided the initial service specification and engagement requirements for the project but did not address the specific allegations of procedural breaches or provide the requested audit trails and exemption details. | ||
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