Data on Food Supply Capacity of Local Producers

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The request was made on 2020-04-13 in response to Ministerial statements on 2020-04-05 and 2020-04-10 regarding food supply capacity.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) refused to provide new raw data because it is already publicly available.
• The authority directed the requester to the 2015 Food Matters Strategy (Part 2, page 45 onwards) as a source of the requested information.
• The authority also provided a link to the Agricultural Census data on the government website.
• The case was closed on 2020-06-16 with the outcome 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-04-13
• 2020-06-16
• 2020-04-05
• 2020-04-10
• 2015
• page 45
• 1262781
• Section 20

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

The DEFA Minister has recently made the following statements during his coronavirus press briefings. 5th April 2020 'I am frequently asked, are we able to produce enough food to feed the Isle of Man? And the answer to that is emphatically yes.' 10th April 2020 'we have enough food on the island… to produce base food products and have self sufficiency… if we have to we can produce enough food on the island for ourselves…' Please provide all of the raw data upon which these statements are made. Presumably this will include both consumption and production data, however I am happy to receive any data which underpins these statements. Thank you. Very Best Regards, James Hampton.

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

Our ref: 1262781 16th June 2020

Dear ###

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

"The DEFA Minister has recently made the following statements during his coronavirus press briefings. 5th April 2020 'I am frequently asked, are we able to produce enough food to feed the Isle of Man? And the answer to that is emphatically yes.' 10th April 2020 'we have enough food on the island… to produce base food products and have self sufficiency… if we have to we can produce enough food on the island for ourselves…' Please provide all of the raw data upon which these statements are made. Presumably this will include both consumption and production data, however I am happy to receive any data which underpins these statements. Thank you. "

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 that you have requested is available from the Food Matters Strategy published in 2015. http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020142016/2014-GD- 0076.pdf (in particular Part 2 from page 45 onwards) and the Agricultural Census data available here https://www.gov.im/about-the- government/departments/environment-food-and-agriculture/agriculture- directorate/agriculture-statistics/

Please quote the reference number 1262781 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