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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-31 | Government's' land ownership in German, Patric and Malew Parishes. | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for maps showing government-owned land and watercourses in the parishes of German, Patrick, and Malew. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the information under FOI, stating it is already reasonably accessible through the government's mapping unit. | ||
| 2021-05-19 | Premises health inspections re. The Marine Hotel, Peel, IM5 1AH | All information sent |
| A request was made for inspection dates and results for The Marine Hotel in Peel following adverse media reports. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed that inspections occurred on May 14 and 19, 2021, and confirmed that current conditions do not reflect the negative media attention. | ||
| 2021-05-18 | Information Provided to Stewart Clague (Ballannette Trust) | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for details regarding consultations with Stewart Clague of the Ballannette Trust concerning land work in Laxey. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information. | ||
| 2021-05-17 | Former Groudle Glen Hotel | All information sent |
| A request was made for all information regarding discussions on registering the former Groudle Glen Hotel as a protected building, to which the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded by providing a full consultation report and related documents. | ||
| 2021-04-28 | Minutes of DEFA meetings | All information sent |
| The request sought minutes of DEFA meetings regarding the Environmental Protection Unit's actions at the Middle Park Recycling facility, and the authority disclosed all information including a detailed site visit report from October 2020. | ||
| 2021-04-12 | Registration of Cosy Nook Cafe, Shore Road, Port Erin | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2021-03-15 | Register of Heathland | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the Register of Heathland maintained under the Heath Burning Act 2003 and inquired about its availability on the MANNGIS website. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided the register map listing specific areas and confirmed that while it is not currently online, it is being considered for inclusion in a new system. | ||
| 2021-02-22 | Building Control queries with regard to Sandygate House, IM7 3AF | All information sent |
| The requester asked for all correspondence regarding Sandygate House from September 2009, and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed all requested information, including a 2015 demolition direction. | ||
| 2021-01-18 | Conflict of Interest for Planning Appeal related to PA 19/01441/B | Information not held |
| The appellant requested all correspondence demonstrating the absence of a conflict of interest regarding planning appeal PA 19/01441/B. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such information is held because there is no requirement to demonstrate an absence of conflict, though they confirmed no staff or committee members declared an interest. | ||
| 2021-01-11 | importattion of red necked wallabies | All information sent |
| The requester asked if animal health legislation prohibits importing red-necked wallabies from the UK to the Isle of Man. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed no specific prohibition exists under animal health laws but noted that importation is currently impossible due to the lack of an agreed export certificate with the UK. | ||
| 2020-12-24 | Desginations of Grenaby Garey Area | All information sent |
| The request sought documents and meeting records regarding the three designations of the Grenaby Garey Area as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) between 2018 and 2020. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed all requested information, including 227 pages across 5 documents containing landowner objections and internal meeting notes. | ||
| 2020-12-11 | Planning Committee Member Interests | All information sent |
| The request sought copies of the Planning Committee Members Register of Interests, and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the full registration details for members Belinda Pilling and Peter Young. | ||
| 2020-12-04 | Waste disposal and treatment | All information sent |
| A request was made for planning rules, waste storage regulations, and licensing details regarding the Middle Incinerator site and hazardous waste removal. The authority responded by disclosing the full text of the Collection and Disposal of Waste Regulations 2000, which defines waste categories and licensing requirements. | ||
| 2020-12-01 | Buildings considered suitable for protected building status in Ramsey | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for a list of 47 buildings in Ramsey identified as potential protected structures but not yet registered. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to cultural heritage and the fact that similar data is already publicly available in other local plans. | ||
| 2020-11-26 | planning enforcement officer's site notes | All information sent |
| The requester asked for site notes and measurements taken by a Planning Enforcement Officer at a vacant plot in Port St Mary on 11 June 2020. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that all requested information was sent. | ||
| 2020-11-11 | Tree felling licences 2014 to present day | All information sent |
| The requester sought full written details and pictorial diagrams for two specific tree felling licences issued in 2014 and 2015 for potential use in legal proceedings. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded by enclosing copies of the requested information, confirming that all data was released. | ||
| 2020-10-16 | Tree removal licenses | All information sent |
| The request sought a list of tree removal licenses issued for Sandygate House since 2014. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed three specific licenses and noted that other removals may have occurred under plant health legislation or planning approvals. | ||
| 2020-10-09 | Glamping proposal south Barrule plantation | All information sent |
| A request was made for financial details and officer time committed to a glamping proposal at South Barrule plantation. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the total external costs, confirmed no specific budget was set, and provided meeting minutes. | ||
| 2020-10-06 | Pre-Planning Advice given in respect of PA 20/01080/B | All information sent |
| The applicant requested all pre-application advice and meeting details regarding a proposed 200-house development in Milntown, Ramsey, involving Dandara and government officers. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed all requested information, including emails and planning advice, confirming the outcome as 'All information sent'. | ||
| 2020-10-05 | Report by planning enforcement | All information sent |
| A request was made to confirm if Tel's Limited's operations at Snugborough Trading Estate complied with existing planning permission, specifically regarding a crusher and re-graded land. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed a full enforcement report detailing the site visit findings and relevant legal case law regarding planning scope. | ||
| 2020-09-29 | planning complaint | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the name of the individual who submitted a planning complaint regarding Field 124093 near Regaby Veg Farm. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose the name, citing an absolute exemption for personal data under the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2020-09-16 | Request for information regarding Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) | All information sent |
| A Freedom of Information request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) policies and statistics. The department disclosed employee counts, TOIL balances, and recording methods, but declined to provide financial costings or average accrual times due to the substantial data compilation required. | ||
| 2020-09-10 | Planning consideration | Information not held |
| The requester asked for retail strategy documentation regarding the Crosby Co-Op approval and its impact on Douglas and Peel sectors, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold this specific information. | ||
| 2020-09-04 | Correspondence relating to plans for Ramsey Quayside & Flood Defences | Information not held |
| A request was made for correspondence regarding flood defence and regeneration plans for Ramsey Quayside between 2017 and 2020. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold the information as no planning application has been submitted yet. | ||
| 2020-09-02 | Property considered suitable for registration | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought the number of properties with potential for protected building registration by parish and specific dates for Ramsey entries. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided counts for most areas but withheld data for sparsely populated parishes to prevent identification of specific buildings, citing prejudice to cultural heritage. | ||
| 2020-09-02 | Buildings worthy of Registration in Ramsey | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2020-08-25 | Communications relating to Planning Applications | Upheld - partial |
| The requester sought all communications regarding three specific planning applications between department officers and applicants. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture partially upheld the request, releasing some documents while redacting personal data under absolute exemptions. | ||
| 2020-08-24 | Registered buildings | Not upheld |
| 2020-08-12 | Legal costs | Information not held |
| The requester asked for total legal costs incurred by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding a trespass accusation against Mr. Dan Richardson. The department responded that it does not hold this information, noting that the Attorney General's Chambers may have relevant data. | ||
| 2020-08-05 | Grey Partridges | All information sent |
| The requester asked for all advice and proposals received by DEFA regarding a July 2020 Tynwald motion to ease grey partridge imports and extend hunting seasons. The authority disclosed a single email extract from a member of the public sent to the DEFA Minister on 6th January 2020. | ||
| 2020-08-03 | Hmo list | Information not held |
| A request was made for a list of registered HMOs in the Isle of Man including addresses and license details. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the information, stating it is already reasonably accessible from local authorities under Section 20 of the Act. | ||
| 2020-07-13 | SEISMIC SURVEYS TO CROGA LTD | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2020-06-02 | Planning Appeals - additional information to Info Request 1311710 | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on planning appeal hearings and written considerations for applications submitted after January 1, 2020. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold this information and directed the requester to the Cabinet Office, which manages the appeals process. | ||
| 2020-06-01 | Planning appeals - incomplete answer to previous request 1043161 | All information sent |
| The requester sought statistics on planning appeals determined by hearing for 2018 and 2019, including processing times, after a previous response only covered written considerations. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided data for 2017, 2018, and 2019 regarding the number of appeals and average days to inspector reports, but could not provide specific timescales to the Minister's decision due to data recording limitations. | ||
| 2020-06-01 | Planning Appeals - extant requests | Information not held |
| The requester asked for statistics on extant planning appeals and determined appeals without site visits, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the data directly. | ||
| 2020-05-18 | Claimed Planning Breach. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details regarding a planning breach complaint, including the complainant's identity, the extent of the issue, and the date. The authority disclosed the nature of the complaint and the date but withheld the complainant's name citing data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2020-04-27 | Species list assess by International Union for Conservation of Nature | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for a comprehensive list of IUCN-assessed species found in the Isle of Man across various threat categories. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the list, stating the information is already reasonably accessible via the IUCN Red List website. | ||
| 2020-04-13 | Data on Food Supply Capacity of Local Producers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for raw data supporting the DEFA Minister's claims of Isle of Man food self-sufficiency during the coronavirus pandemic. The authority responded that the information was already reasonably accessible via the 2015 Food Matters Strategy and online Agricultural Census data, citing Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2020-03-27 | Silt leachate tests and licence for Peel Marina Dredging | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the licence and leachate test results required before authorizing the discharge of silt dewatering waste into Peel Marina. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that both the report and the licence were enclosed and released in full. | ||
| 2020-03-12 | Policy Paper / advice to Minister to Close Snuff The Wind | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester sought policy papers and evidence regarding the closure of Snuff the Wind at Cross Vein Mine, including health impacts and pollution sources. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture released some documents but withheld specific information to protect bird breeding sites and stated that certain requested reports on health and pollution causation were not held. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | Waste Licenses | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for waste licenses and inspection records for four civic amenity sites and an Energy from Waste site. The authority provided the licenses but confirmed that no information regarding site inspections was held. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | analysis of mine spoil , harbour silt and river water quality | Not required to fulfill request |
| A request for analysis of mine spoil, harbour silt, and river water quality in the Foxdale and Glen Rushen areas was closed because the applicant failed to provide requested clarification within 28 days. The authority noted that some information was already publicly available and other data could not be located without more specific location details. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | Sea Fisheries Licensing | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for statistics on Isle of Man sea fishing licences issued to vessels registered in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man, broken down by species. The authority responded with specific licence counts for English registered vessels for the period April 2019 to March 2020, though the response text provided is truncated before covering other regions. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | Livestock Births | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for total annual livestock births and imports on the Isle of Man, categorized by animal type and origin. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to provide the data directly, citing that cattle birth and import statistics are already reasonably accessible on their official website. | ||
| 2020-03-04 | Alleged Breach of Planning - Unit 269A Jurby Industrial Estate, Jurby | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester sought information regarding an alleged planning breach involving workers living in a mobile home at Unit 269A Jurby Industrial Estate, specifically asking for the identity of the accuser and investigation details. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused to disclose any information, citing exemptions for personal data and ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2020-03-02 | Eelgrass within the Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the full scientific findings of a 2019 eelgrass survey in Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve, and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the complete report including methodology and results. | ||
| 2020-02-24 | Country side payments | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for total payments, land names, and recipient details for countryside payments over the last 12 months. The authority provided links to aggregate statistics but refused to disclose specific land names and recipient identities due to practical refusal grounds and personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2020-02-14 | Buildings worthy of registration not yet registered | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for a list of buildings identified as potentially worthy of protection but not yet registered, which was refused under exemptions for publicly available information and ongoing research. The subsequent internal review upheld the refusal, noting that arguments regarding the age of research reports would be addressed in a separate outstanding request. | ||
| 2020-02-04 | Dredging and disposal of silt from Peel Harbour | Information not held |
| A request was made for a cost breakdown of dredging and silt removal from Peel Harbour between 2015 and 2020, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that it does not hold the information. | ||
| 2020-02-03 | Fallen Livestock | Information not held |
| A request was made for detailed statistics on fallen livestock including causes of death, species, and disposal numbers, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold this information. | ||
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