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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-04 | Sulby Claddaghs | All information sent |
| The request sought financial data regarding third-party payments for management and maintenance, plus income from the permit system for Sulby Claddaghs over five years. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the specific figures for 2017-2021 but noted that some costs were not itemized due to estate-wide contracts. | ||
| 2022-03-29 | Cringle Great Park | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought information regarding mountain bike trail usage and planning applications for Cringle Great Park since January 2012. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed no specific contracts or applications exist for the trail, though they listed historical planning applications for the wider area and directed the user to the public planning portal. | ||
| 2022-03-24 | Agriculture environment scheme | All information sent |
| The requester asked when the application forms for the Agriculture environment scheme were released. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that the forms were released on 1st April 2021. | ||
| 2022-03-22 | Curraghs Wildlife Park | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought annual wallaby population data and details of animal escapes at Curraghs Wildlife Park from 2011 to 2022, along with the park's escape prevention plan. The authority provided a partial inventory report for wallabies and the full Animal Escape Policy document, but the outcome was recorded as 'part exempt' regarding the escape history data. | ||
| 2022-03-17 | Illegal access to DEFA managed land | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for a list of illegal access incidents to DEFA managed land, including dates, locations, and actions taken. The authority disclosed five specific incidents resulting in successful prosecutions and directed the requester to a public database for further exempt information. | ||
| 2022-03-01 | Climate Change Funding | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed breakdowns of £56m in climate change funding and staff data for the Climate Change Transformation Team. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Officer instead. | ||
| 2022-02-23 | planning application 21/00694/B | All information sent |
| 2022-02-21 | Planning Applications | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of rejected renewable energy planning applications on private land since January 2018. The authority responded that most decisions are made at officer level and provided limited search results, noting only one refused solar application and one approved wind application. | ||
| 2022-02-15 | Total area registered under the Agricultural Development Scheme. | All information sent |
| The request sought the number of active farmers and total registered acreage under the Agricultural Development Scheme for the period April 2021 to April 2022, categorized by eligibility and location relative to the mountain line. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed all requested information, providing specific counts and acreage figures. | ||
| 2022-02-07 | DEFA staff wanting to work for WWF | All information sent |
| A request was made for records of DEFA staff accessing specific WWF recruitment URLs on departmental computers. The authority responded that no staff members had accessed these URLs prior to the request. | ||
| 2022-02-04 | DEFA money paid to Chief Minister Mr Howard Quayle. | Information not held |
| A request was made to confirm if Chief Minister Howard Quayle received DEFA grants or loans between 2016 and 2021. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such payments were made to him during his tenure, with the last payment to his business occurring in April 2016. | ||
| 2022-01-17 | Isle of Man's Provision for Waste Recycling | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for detailed statistics on household and industrial waste recycling, incineration rates, costs, and logistics in the Isle of Man was partially fulfilled, with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture directing the requester to existing public reports for most data. | ||
| 2022-01-17 | Tree felling licences | All information sent |
| A request was made for a list of tree felling licences granted in the last 10 years, including publication and objection statistics. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed a partial list of licences from 2017 to early 2019, primarily covering the Arbory and Rushen parishes, but did not provide the specific aggregate statistics requested regarding newspaper publications or written representations. | ||
| 2021-12-06 | Conditions on Planning approval 17/01083/B | All information sent |
| The requester asked if specific planning conditions for approval 17/01083/B regarding architectural details and roof slate samples had been met. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that the conditions have not been met because no plans were submitted and no notification of work commencement was received. | ||
| 2021-12-06 | Ramsey Harbour ASSI | All information sent |
| The requester asked for full designation documents and maps for the de-notified Ramsey Harbour ASSI, and the authority confirmed that all information was sent while providing a detailed ministerial statement explaining the decision to de-notify the site. | ||
| 2021-12-01 | Wagon/Truck driver | Upheld - full |
| 2021-11-29 | Davies 1901324b. pdf | Withdrawn |
| The requester asked for a copy of a response letter to W Gilbey dated April 2021, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture withdrew the request on December 31, 2021. | ||
| 2021-11-29 | Roberts Report | Not upheld |
| The requester sought the 'Roberts Report' and Dr. Roberts's commission documents regarding an investigation into a senior DEFA officer, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed it does not hold these records as they were commissioned by the Public Services Commission. | ||
| 2021-11-19 | Planning Certificate for Sandygate House & Garage | All information sent |
| The requester sought planning certificates and completion documents for Sandygate House and Garage from 2012 onwards, citing concerns over drainage damage and non-compliant window glass. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that all requested information was sent on December 16, 2021. | ||
| 2021-11-11 | Waste & Environmental Monitoring reports for Turkeylands | All information sent |
| The requester asked for all waste and environmental monitoring reports for the Turkeylands landfill facilities, and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed all requested information. | ||
| 2021-11-10 | Use of greenway tracks in the Manx countryside | Information not held |
| The requester asked for copies of permits issued to the IOM Four Wheel Drive Club for driving on Greenway tracks between 2014 and the present. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Infrastructure instead. | ||
| 2021-11-09 | Funding of mountain bike trails | All information sent |
| 2021-11-02 | Staff qualifications at DEFA | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| The requester asked for specific data on DEFA staff resignations with PhDs or veterinary degrees and their replacement rates over 10 years. The authority provided proxy data based on staff using the title 'Dr' and veterinary degree counts, but stated they lacked resources to determine exact replacement figures, leading to the request lapsing. | ||
| 2021-11-01 | The Dr Sharon Roberts Report DEFA Sea Dumping | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| The requester sought the Dr Sharon Roberts Report and related correspondence regarding sea silt dumping at Peel Marina, but the request lapsed because the requester failed to provide a specific timeframe as requested by the authority. | ||
| 2021-10-29 | Quine Brothers Prosecution/Appeal | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the financial relief and legal costs awarded in the Quine Brothers vs DEFA Chancery Court case. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed that £11,000 plus VAT and disbursements had been agreed and paid, while noting that further costs remain subject to detailed claim. | ||
| 2021-10-22 | DEFA Consultants | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| 2021-10-19 | Off road injury data | Information not held |
| The requester asked for injury data and Health & Safety reports regarding motorcycle riding at the Snuff the Wind site. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold the requested information. | ||
| 2021-10-18 | Copies of Planning Certificates | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for planning certificates for Sandygate House and Garage from 2012 onwards, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to send copies directly, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via their website or public counter. | ||
| 2021-10-11 | planning enforcement officer notes and assessment form | All information sent |
| The requester sought meeting notes and a harm assessment form regarding a planning breach on Gelling's Avenue, Port St. Mary. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that all requested information was sent and the case was closed. | ||
| 2021-10-08 | Waste of money and resources hassling the guy who lives in the forest | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought all records regarding a dispute between the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and a resident of Nut Glen, later narrowing the request to financial records only. The authority disclosed specific costs incurred for a boundary review and expert discussions, totaling £1,560, while withholding other details. | ||
| 2021-10-06 | Snuff the Wind | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for reports and evidence regarding the closure of the Snuff the Wind motorcycle facility and its impact on Peel harbour silting. The authority refused to send new documents, stating the information was already reasonably accessible via a previous FOI response from August 2020. | ||
| 2021-10-04 | Schedule 4 species since 2016 | All information sent |
| The request sought data on Schedule 4 birds kept, imported, exported, died, or escaped on the Isle of Man since 2016. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed full species counts by year, specific import/export records, and lists of deceased and escaped birds. | ||
| 2021-09-23 | Farm support payments 2011-present. | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request for annual farm support payments for specific fields from 2011 to present was refused because the information is either already reasonably accessible online or would require the department to derive new data. | ||
| 2021-09-21 | UN COP26 invitations etc | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding invitations and attendance of Isle of Man staff at UN COP26 events. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information because no staff members from the department were invited to attend. | ||
| 2021-08-23 | Permitted Development 5G | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for a list of 5G mast installations and planned applications under Permitted Development on the Isle of Man. The authority refused to provide the specific lists, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via their public online planning portal, though they did provide a sample list of historical 'telecommunication' applications. | ||
| 2021-08-18 | Metadata Request for Documents in FOI Response | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for original file formats and comprehensive metadata for documents previously released in a separate FOI response regarding environmental assessments. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded by providing metadata extracted from the file properties of the documents contained in Appendix 3. | ||
| 2021-08-18 | Information regarding complaints | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for copies of complaints regarding Ballakindry Mill Ballabeg, including dates and complainant details. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose the information, stating it was held but exempt. | ||
| 2021-08-09 | Applications for Trees felling on the government house land. | All information sent |
| The request sought all tree felling applications on Government House land over the last two years. The authority disclosed five specific tree felling licences issued by the Agriculture & Lands Directorate but noted that planning-related tree removal information is exempt and accessible via a public search facility. | ||
| 2021-07-23 | Email Correspondence & Initial Assessment Research | Upheld - partial |
| The request sought email correspondence regarding specific planning applications and initial assessment research for various farms, to which the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided a partial response including a refusal recommendation for the Ballacroak development and historical research notes. | ||
| 2021-07-22 | Port St Mary skatepark | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for planning documents regarding a proposed skatepark in Port St Mary, specifically seeking the rationale for non-support. The authority responded that the information was already reasonably accessible online and clarified that the application was deemed withdrawn rather than refused. | ||
| 2021-07-14 | Area Plan North Private Woodland or Parkland Designation proposals | Information not held |
| The requester sought information on proposed amendments to the Area Plan North regarding Private Woodland or Parkland designations and related legislation. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that it does not hold the requested information for most items, suggesting the Cabinet Office instead, and confirmed no current review of the Tree Preservation Act. | ||
| 2021-07-13 | Meetings with developers | Request lapsed - requested information not provided |
| 2021-07-08 | Alleged breach of planning control | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for the identity of the person who made a complaint regarding an alleged planning breach at their property. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose this information, citing it as absolutely exempt personal data. | ||
| 2021-07-06 | Proposals to Register that do not make the National Register | All information sent |
| The request sought details on buildings researched but not registered on the Isle of Man's Protected Buildings Register, specifically focusing on the South Area Plan and the tenure of Registered Building Officer Ross Brazier. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed a comprehensive list of buildings with their research status, proposal dates, and registration outcomes, though the response text appears truncated before fully addressing the specific statistical queries regarding Ross Brazier. | ||
| 2021-06-30 | Planning application 18/00240/B | Information not held |
| The requester asked for officer notebooks, phone notes, diary entries, and photographs related to planning application 18/00240/B for Ballavarvane, St Marks. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no additional material is held as all relevant information is already publicly available on the government planning website. | ||
| 2021-06-30 | Planning application 20/01215/B | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for officer notebooks, phone notes, diary entries, and additional material regarding planning application 20/01215/B for Ballavarvane, St Marks. The authority provided three additional photographs but refused to release other requested materials, citing that all relevant information is already publicly available on the government planning website. | ||
| 2021-06-25 | St Mark's Elm Trees - Application 20/01215/B | All information sent |
| The requester asked for metadata evidence regarding the online publication dates of planning documents for application 20/01215/B concerning works at Ballavarvane Farm. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed a list of 36 documents with their specific publication dates derived from file metadata. | ||
| 2021-06-23 | Wildlife control licenses | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on specific wildlife control licenses issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture since 2016, excluding general licenses. The authority disclosed that 28 individual licenses were issued under the Wildlife Act and Curraghs Acquisition Act, detailing the species targeted, control methods, and justifications such as livestock protection and air safety. | ||
| 2021-06-15 | Redaction of names from planning application details | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the Information Commissioner's advice and correspondence regarding the redaction of names from planning applications on the Planning Searches website. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided the requested documents, which included legal opinions on data protection and the publication of objector details. | ||
| 2021-06-04 | hardwood trees planted | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought monthly planting data for softwood and hardwood trees over six years, land ownership percentages, and root clearing policies. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided annual totals instead of monthly data, confirmed all trees were planted on department-owned land, and stated there is no written policy on burning roots as they are generally left in situ. | ||
« Previous Page 5 of 9 Next »