Live exports from the IOM

Summary

A request for statistics on live farm animal exports from the Isle of Man was partially fulfilled, with export numbers directed to public websites while final destination details were withheld under health and safety exemptions.

Key Facts

• Export statistics for cattle, sheep, and goats are available on the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture website.
• Information regarding final destinations (slaughterhouse or elsewhere) was withheld to protect the safety of transport operatives.
• The Department does not hold data on animal movements once they leave the Isle of Man jurisdiction.
• Data on the number of animals dying or injured during transport is not held by the authority.
• Most livestock journeys are under 8 hours and only occur in suitable weather conditions.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-01-13
• 2020-01-29
• 1129425
• 8 hours
• Section 20
• Section 36

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20: Information accessible to applicant by other means
• Section 36: Health and safety

Original Request

How many farm animals are exported from the Isle of Man each year? What species and age are they, and what are their final destinations (ie straight to slaughterhouse or elsewhere)? Where are their final destinations? How many are exported outside the UK, either straight from the Isle of Man or later on in their lives? How many die or are injured on the journey? How long are the journey times? How often are the journey times extended due to ferry delays?

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

29th January 2020 Our ref: 1129425

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 13th January 2020 and which states:

"How many farm animals are exported from the Isle of Man each year? What species and age are they, and what are their final destinations (ie straight to slaughterhouse or elsewhere)? Where are their final destinations? How many are exported outside the UK, either straight from the Isle of Man or later on in their lives? How many die or are injured on the journey? How long are the journey times? How often are the journey times extended due to ferry delays?"

Our response to your request is as follows:
1. “How many farm animals are exported from the Isle of Man each year? What species and age are they, and [see 2 below] Response This information is available on our website using the links below. As this is already publically available it is exempt from release here under section 20 of the FoI Act, Information accessible to applicant by other means. Cattle - https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/cattle/cattle-export-statistics/ Sheep and goats - https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/sheep-goats/sheep-export-statistics/ 2. “what are their final destinations (i.e. straight to slaughterhouse or elsewhere)? Where are their final destinations? Response 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. 3. “How many are exported outside the UK, either straight from the Isle of Man or later on in their lives? Response Once the animals leave the IOM we do not receive information on any further movements (either within the UK or beyond); as the animals are then out of our jurisdiction. Trading Standards in the UK may be a point-of-contact as they check Isle of Man-Heysham consignments. 4. “How many die or are injured on the journey?” Response This information is not held. 5. “How long are the journey times? Response Journey times vary depending on the consignment destination however transporters are governed by the following regulations: https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and- industries/agriculture/livestock-transport-regulations/

Most of the journeys are under 8 hours (including the sea crossing) and livestock only travels on the ferry in suitable weather conditions (dictated by the ferry Captain). 6. “How often are the journey times extended due to ferry delays?” Response This information is not held, but again, the welfare of the animals is covered by the regulations noted above Further Information A lot of information on the export of farm animals from the Isle of Man is available here: https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/agriculture/animal- welfare-live-exports/ Please quote the reference number 1129425 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