Animals killed at abattoir or exported

Summary

The request sought data on animal slaughter methods, export figures, and bird killing regulations on the Isle of Man since 2015. The authority confirmed that stunning is mandatory for all abattoir processing but withheld specific throughput numbers due to commercial confidence and export destinations due to health and safety concerns.

Key Facts

• Stunning is used on all animals processed by the Isle of Man Meat Plant.
• No animals are killed without stunning for religious purposes such as kosher meat.
• Data on animals killed at the abattoir since 2017 is withheld to protect the commercial interests of IOM Meat Company Limited.
• Export destination details are withheld under health and safety exemptions to protect transport operatives.
• Statistics on livestock numbers and species are available via public government links rather than direct disclosure.

Data Disclosed

• 2015
• 2017
• 2020-01-09
• 2020-02-05
• 5 pages
• 1 document

Exemptions Cited

• Section 26: Information provided in confidence
• Section 20: Information already reasonably accessible
• Section 36: Health and safety

Original Request

Since 2015, how many animals have been killed at the Manx abattoir, what species and what were the methods of stunning and killing? Are any killed without stunning, eg. to make the meat 'kosher'? Since 2015, how many live animals have been exported from the Isle of Man for slaughter, what were the end destinations and what species were the animals? Is the killing of birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys for human consumption on Manx farms regulated? What methods of killing and stunning are permitted? How many birds are killed each year?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

5th February 2020 Our ref: 1127925

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on the 9th January 2020 and which states: “Since 2015, how many animals have been killed at the Manx abattoir, what species and what were the methods of stunning and killing? Are any killed without stunning, eg. to make the meat 'kosher'? “Since 2015, how many live animals have been exported from the Isle of Man for slaughter, what were the end destinations and what species were the animals? “Is the killing of birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys for human consumption on Manx farms regulated? What methods of killing and stunning are permitted? How many birds are killed each year?” Our response to your request is as follows:

1. "Since 2015, how many animals have been killed at the Manx abattoir, what species and what were the methods of stunning and killing?” Response The Appendix to this letter contains information that was sent out in response to an FoI request in 2017. It goes some way to answering your question. With reference to the information for subsequent years this information is withheld as it is absolutely exempt from release under section 26 Information provided in confidence. The information is provided by IOM Meat Company Limited (who supply it on the understanding it will remain confidential and will not be communicated more widely) to enable the Department to understand the trading position of the company and consequently to understand the red meat sector of the Manx agricultural industry to ensure that it is providing the best value to the Manx taxpayer who supports it through subvention payments.

We believe release of this information would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by IOM Meats or any of the farmers whose businesses rely on it. Although there can be a strong public interest in disclosing information where, for example, enforcing an obligation of confidence would inhibit public scrutiny of a matter of public concern, in this case the Department believes release of the information would allow UK competitors of IOM Meats to gain a commercial advantage. This advantage would be gained by enabling scrutiny of the throughput figures and then comparison with the current buying prices to farmers which would consequently enable the selling price of the carcasses to be estimated to a reasonable degree of accuracy. 2. “Are any killed without stunning, eg. to make the meat 'kosher'?” Response I can confirm that stunning is used on all animals processed by the Isle of Man Meat Plant. 3. “Since 2015, how many live animals have been exported from the Isle of Man for slaughter, what were the end destinations and what species were the animals? Response Livestock numbers and species While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information to answer the part of this question on numbers and species is available here: Cattle - https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/cattle/cattle-export-statistics/ Sheep & Goatshttps://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/sheep-goats/sheep-export-statistics/ Response Destinations While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance this information is withheld under section 36 (Health and safety) of the FoI Act. Its release would be likely to endanger the safety of individuals involved in the transport through and receiving of, the livestock in the UK. As section 36 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large. Factors in favour of disclosure Disclosure would improve the confidence of the public in the regulation of livestock transport.

Disclosure may help some people make reasoned decisions on their support for the meat industry, i.e. whether they eat meat or not. Factors in favour of maintaining the exemption and withholding the information are: It is well documented that the transportation of livestock can put the health and safety of operatives involved in transporting and receiving that livestock at risk. In taking these factors into account the Department has weighed the rights of people to know what happens to transported livestock and the rights of that livestock against the rights of people and businesses who work in the livestock industry and has determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing this information. 4. “Is the killing of birds such as chickens, ducks and turkeys for human consumption on Manx farms regulated? What methods of killing and stunning are permitted?” Response The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) Regulations cover all aspects of slaughter, both at the Meat Plant and on the farm, this can be viewed online at http://www.tynwald.org.im/links/tls/SD/2019/2019-SD-0373.pdf

1. “How many birds are killed each year?" Response This information is not held. Please quote the reference number 1127925 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely