Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
90 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 134.4%
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 (90)
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. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | 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. | ||
| 2026-02-10 | 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. | ||
| 2026-02-04 | 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. | ||
| 2026-01-20 | 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. | ||
| 2025-11-25 | 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. | ||
| 2025-10-17 | 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. | ||
| 2025-10-03 | 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 | 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 |
| 2025-08-19 | 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. | ||
| 2025-07-03 | 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 | Onshore wind site selection | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for contracts and meeting minutes regarding onshore wind site selection, but the authority disclosed a Wildlife Act licence issued to Wardell Armstrong for bird surveys at the Cair Vie wind farm instead. | ||
| 2025-06-11 | Licences granted under the Wildlife Act | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for copies of all Wildlife Act licences issued in 2025, and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided a specific research permit for the Manx Wildlife Trust while withholding other information under partial exemption. | ||
| 2025-05-19 | Food outlets with indicative hygiene scores of one or zero | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a list of food outlets on the Isle of Man with hygiene scores of zero or one between July 2024 and May 2025, including enforcement actions. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed details for 11 premises but withheld information on 10 others due to ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2025-05-19 | Food Hygiene Inspections & Reports - Selected Castletown Premises 2 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought food hygiene inspection reports and dates for four Castletown premises since 2019, resulting in a partial disclosure where information for 'Time Out Noodle Bar' was released while other details were exempt. | ||
| 2025-05-14 | DEFA Procurement of Carbon Literacy Training | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on the procurement timeline, budget, and correspondence regarding Carbon Literacy training awarded to Earthscope. The authority disclosed the training provider, budget figures, payment status, and staff attendance statistics, while citing that procurement process details were already publicly accessible. | ||
| 2025-05-06 | Migrant workers at the Meat Plant | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for documents regarding the recruitment of migrant workers at the Isle of Man Meat Plant since January 2024, resulting in a partial disclosure where some information was sent but parts were exempt. | ||
| 2025-05-06 | Willaston Recreation Field | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence and survey notes regarding the Willaston Recreation Field, specifically concerning tree removal and ecological surveys for a proposed site compound. The authority released partial information, disclosing email exchanges between Douglas City Council and DEFA about biodiversity protection and hedge removal, while withholding some content. | ||
| 2025-04-16 | DEFA Timber Activity at Ramsey Harbour | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on DEFA's timber export operations at Ramsey Harbour, including contracts, environmental assessments, and internal communications. The response disclosed operational constraints, vessel specifications, and correspondence regarding port logistics, but withheld specific commercial agreements and cost figures under redaction. | ||
| 2025-04-16 | Food Hygiene Inspection & Enforcement 2023 - 0/1 Rated Premises II | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on food hygiene ratings (0 or 1) and enforcement actions for Isle of Man premises between July and December 2023. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some information but withheld specific enforcement details due to ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2025-04-08 | Licences granted under the Wildlife Act | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for Wildlife Act licence applications and grants related to the proposed Cair Vie wind farm ecological surveys. The authority released some licences issued in 2025 but withheld personal data under an absolute exemption, noting no applications were received in 2024. | ||
| 2025-02-26 | Planning and building control | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-01-27 | Food Hygiene Inspections - IOM Premises Rated 'Zero' or 'One' 2023/24 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on food hygiene ratings and inspection reports for Isle of Man premises rated 0 or 1 between July and December 2024. The authority provided partial information, including specific inspection reports and correspondence for two establishments, while withholding other data under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-01-21 | Building Control:Drains/Gully/Septic : 1/2/3 Sunnybank West Baldwin | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for building control records regarding drainage and septic tanks at 3 Sunnybank, West Baldwin. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded by releasing some information while withholding part of the requested data under exemptions. | ||
| 2024-12-04 | 53 Howe Road 21/00209/DUD | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for documents related to case 21/00209/DUD concerning 53 Howe Road, specifically a Risk & Harm Assessment. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some information but withheld personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2024-12-02 | Food Hygiene Inspections & Reports - Selected Castletown Premises | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought food hygiene inspection dates and reports for five specific Castletown premises since 2019, resulting in a partial disclosure where some inspection correspondence was released while other information was exempt. | ||
| 2024-11-05 | Earystane Quarry | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for lease details, production figures, financial reports, and planning permissions for Earystane Quarry was partially fulfilled, with some information directed to public websites and other details withheld due to commercial and public business exemptions. | ||
| 2024-08-27 | Earthscope | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought financial details, due diligence, and tender information regarding payments to Earthscope for carbon literacy training. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the monthly payment amount but withheld other details, citing that the request should be directed to other public authorities for information outside their scope. | ||
| 2024-07-24 | Major Planning Application Process | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for documents and case officer details regarding the MUAs onshore windfarm planning application. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some correspondence but withheld personal data, internal meeting notes, and officer qualifications citing specific exemptions. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | Climate Change and Sustainability Island Wide | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for detailed budget and spending data on Isle of Man climate change initiatives was partially fulfilled, with a table of 17 specific projects and their financial status provided, while information on future initiatives requiring additional budget was withheld. | ||
| 2024-06-05 | On-call information | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for on-call staff details at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture was partially fulfilled, disclosing hours and response times while withholding specific pay rates due to personal data exemptions and directing the requester to public HR resources for call-out fees. | ||
| 2024-05-24 | Business case for the 'Farm carbon engagement officer' | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought documentation for the creation of the Farm Carbon Engagement Officer position, including the business case and draft contract. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some information regarding project scope and salary calculations but withheld other details as out of scope. | ||
| 2024-05-21 | Protection of sites of critical importance for nature conservation | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for confirmation on the status of biodiversity protection targets and specific land conservation statistics under the Isle of Man Biodiversity Strategy. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that not all critical sites are protected, cited a lack of resources and previous fisheries agreements as reasons, and directed the requester to an online dashboard showing 19.76% of land is currently protected. | ||
| 2024-05-09 | Minutes of the Wildlife Committee Meetings | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought minutes and decisions from the Isle of Man Wildlife Committee regarding American XL Bully dogs from August 2022 onwards. The authority disclosed a specific consultation report and committee recommendation to ban the breed under the Wild Animals Act, though some information was redacted. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Cost of posts lining the road at Smeale | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-03-06 | Provision of short posts at Smeale. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-02-22 | Pre-application advice given to Dandara - 24/00055/B | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-02-21 | Bats and St Bridgets (Bride) Church | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-01-17 | Carbon literacy training | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the procurement, costs, and attendance figures for Carbon Literacy training across Isle of Man public bodies. The authority disclosed the training provider, budget, payments made, and staff attendance numbers, while directing the requester to existing financial regulations for procurement process details. | ||
| 2024-01-02 | Consultation on proposals relating to Building Control | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-11-21 | Acoustic survey - Earystane & Scard | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-10-06 | Manx Wildlife Trust | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-08-24 | Radiation Levels in Manx Agriculture and Produce | Some information sent but part exempt |
Page 1 of 2 Next »