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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
| 2025-06-20 | Food Hygiene Reports & Photographic Records relating to FOI 4671990 | Not upheld |
| The request sought detailed food hygiene inspection reports and photographic records for six specific establishments with an indicative rating of one. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused the request, citing that disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public business under Section 35 of the Act. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-06-02 | Advice given to DEFA by the AG's Office regarding Charlie the XLB type | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for legal advice correspondence between DEFA and the Attorney General's Office regarding the euthanasia of a dog named Charlie. The authority withheld all information, citing legal professional privilege as the exemption. | ||
| 2025-05-29 | Public toilets at Glen Helen | Information not held |
| A request was made for the tender date and annual cost of cleaning public toilets at Glen Helen, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information as they are not responsible for the contract. | ||
| 2025-05-28 | Alleged breach of planning control | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for the original complaint letter regarding an alleged planning breach at 2 Windsor Road, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose it. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-05-15 | Snuff the wind | All information sent |
| The request sought data on the effectiveness of the 'Snuff the Wind' closure in reducing contamination in Peel Marina from the Cross Vein mine. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed monitoring results showing a significant reduction in heavy metal loads following the closure and remediation works. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-05-07 | Fisheries 3-mile limit | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought GPS coordinates, boundary software, and enforcement guidance regarding the Isle of Man's 3-mile fisheries limit. The authority responded by providing a 2016 consultation document on the Inshore Marine Zoning Plan, though the outcome indicates not all requested information was held. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-05-06 | Earthscope - reference FoI request 4082318 | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for detailed correspondence and minutes regarding the tender process for the Earthscope project, specifically questioning adherence to procurement rules and potential interference. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that some information was sent, but not all requested data was held. | ||
| 2025-04-30 | Documentation to confirm compliance with CCS - ADS statutes | All information sent |
| The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided full documentation confirming compliance with CCS-ADS statutes for numerous properties, responding to a request received in April 2025. The response included a detailed table listing application statuses across four schemes and inspection dates for over 150 properties. | ||
| 2025-04-29 | What "changed" classification re Min Boot's enquiry of 22 Nov 2016 | Information not held |
| The requester sought documentation regarding specific field classification changes and the reasons behind them, as discussed between Minister Boot and Peter McEvoy in November 2016. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-04-15 | Ecological surveys of onshore wind farm site | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a list of ecological licences issued to Manx Utilities Authority for the Earystane and Scard wind farm, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed it holds no such information as no licences were issued. | ||
| 2025-04-10 | Net zero campaign | All information sent |
| The applicant requested analytics, feedback, and evaluation data for the Isle of Man's Net Zero Campaign from January 2022 to present. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released most requested data via appendices and online links, though some demographic breakdowns were withheld as they were not held by the authority. | ||
| 2025-04-08 | Port Erin Beach Huts | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for clarification on whether a revised planning application was submitted for Port Erin Beach Huts regarding permanent concrete bases. The authority responded that no information was sent because the relevant planning details are already reasonably accessible online under Section 20 of the Act. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2025-04-04 | Cair Vie Windfarm EIA criteria | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for specific criteria and internal guidance regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Cair Vie Wind Farm. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the information, stating it was already reasonably accessible via published scoping reports. | ||
| 2025-04-01 | Houses of multiple occupancy | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for statistics on registered Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and the number of properties known to be non-compliant with fire legislation. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the total number of registered HMOs and inspection details but stated it does not hold records on the number of unregistered or non-compliant properties. | ||
| 2025-03-17 | Food Hygiene Inspection & Enforcement 2023 - 0 & 1 Rated Premises | All information sent |
| A Freedom of Information request was made to the Isle of Man's Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for details on food hygiene inspections and enforcement actions for premises rated 0 or 1 between January and June 2023. The authority responded by disclosing a full list of 19 establishments, their inspection dates, ratings, and the specific enforcement actions taken against them. | ||
| 2025-03-13 | Export of live farm animals destined for slaughter | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought data on live farm animal exports for slaughter from the Isle of Man between January 2023 and March 2025, including destinations, species, and slaughter methods. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed export numbers and destinations for cattle but stated it does not hold information on specific slaughter methods or government policies to reduce live transport. | ||
| 2025-03-12 | Lockdown Diving Exemptions | Information not held |
| A request was made for records regarding diving permissions or exceptions granted by DEFA during the April 2020 COVID lockdown. The authority responded that the information is not held because no such permissions were ever granted by the department. | ||
| 2025-02-26 | Planning and building control | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-02-19 | Pollution in Port Erin | All information sent |
| The requester inquired about charges brought against companies involved in the demolition of the Marine Biological Station following pollution incidents in Port Erin Bay. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that no charges were brought against any of the companies involved. | ||
| 2025-02-13 | Equality Assessment | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought data on equality impact assessments since the Equality Act 2017, including screening numbers and rationales for non-production. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the total number of screened decisions and a list of assessments by year, but refused to provide the specific rationale for not producing full assessments as it was not held in the requested format. | ||
| 2025-01-30 | Info related to Climate Change Access for Local Authorities/Boards | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for documentation regarding Climate Change Funding access for local authorities and statutory boards between April 2024 and February 2025. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed that no such records exist for local authorities, provided a public link for statutory boards, and confirmed no process changes occurred since January 2024. | ||
| 2025-01-30 | Tourist accommodation | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of private properties granted additional or change of use for tourist accommodation over the last five years. The authority could not provide the exact data due to recording limitations but supplied the total number of applications containing the word 'tourist' for each year. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-12-31 | Settlement Agreements | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on Settlement Agreements issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture since September 2021, including reasons, compensation figures, and a template. The authority responded that no such agreements were issued during the specified period and no template is held on file. | ||
| 2024-12-16 | Policy No: EPU/05/2024/V1 | Not upheld |
| A request was made for all planning documents, meeting notes, and correspondence regarding the Waste Regulation Policy for Small Mixed Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (SMW). The response disclosed a 10-page guidance note detailing the identification, hazards, storage, and transport requirements for SMW, though the outcome of the FOI case was 'Not upheld'. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-11-22 | Planning Application 13/91461/B, aka former Ramsey gasworks site | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A resident requested the complete planning file for the former Ramsey gasworks site to investigate unfulfilled planning conditions, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to send documents, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via their website or public archives. | ||
| 2024-11-21 | Food premises prosecuted, fined or warned over food hygiene breaches | All information sent |
| The request sought data on food hygiene inspections, breaches, prosecutions, fines, and warnings for Isle of Man premises between January 2022 and October 2024. The authority provided a breakdown of 270 inspections and details on warnings issued, but refused to provide specific breach statistics due to the substantial compilation required, while confirming zero prosecutions and fines. | ||
| 2024-11-18 | MT Buyout | Information not held |
| A request was made for all correspondence held by Minister Clare Barber regarding Manx Telecom's offer for the Isle of Man Government to buy out the telecommunications provider. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such information is held. | ||
| 2024-11-06 | Feral Wallaby & Feral Goat Populations | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for specific population counts and a report regarding feral wallabies and goats following a 2024 drone survey. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the information directly, citing that it was already reasonably accessible via a public news article. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-10-29 | Windfarms | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for confirmation and a copy of a cost-benefit analysis comparing the Orsted Offshore Windfarm and Cairns Vie Onshore Windfarm. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that no such analysis was ever carried out, meaning no information could be disclosed. | ||
| 2024-09-25 | Commitees, Board, Agencies and Offices | Some information sent but not all held |
| The applicant requested a list of committees, boards, and agencies associated with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, including their terms of reference, membership, funding, and delegated powers. The authority responded by providing details for eight specific bodies, noting that some information was already publicly accessible via links rather than being sent directly. | ||
| 2024-09-24 | Sinking of Manx fishing vessels | Information not held |
| A request was made for details of Manx fishing vessels that sank since 2011 and had their licenses revoked, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold this specific information. | ||
| 2024-09-03 | Information held between 10-11 and 12 West Quay | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| A request was made for demolition order correspondence regarding a party wall between 10-11 and 12 West Quay from 2021 to the present. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some information but withheld the rest due to personal data exemptions and an ongoing planning enforcement investigation. | ||
| 2024-09-02 | FoI Costs | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the cost of providing Freedom of Information responses over the past three financial years, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold this data as it is not required to calculate officer time or monetary value. Instead, the authority disclosed the number of requests received and the staffing structure of the team handling them. | ||
| 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. | ||
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