Export of live farm animals destined for slaughter

Summary

The request sought data on live farm animal exports for slaughter from the Isle of Man between January 2023 and March 2025, including destinations, species, and slaughter methods. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed export numbers and destinations for cattle but stated it does not hold information on specific slaughter methods or government policies to reduce live transport.

Key Facts

• Only cattle were exported for slaughter during the requested period; no sheep, pigs, or goats were exported for this purpose.
• Export destinations included Dunbia (Preston), Woodhead Brothers (Colne), and Pickstock Telford Ltd (Telford).
• The Department does not hold information regarding whether animals are sent for ritual slaughter (Halal or Shechita).
• Animal welfare guidelines after leaving the Isle of Man are governed by UK authorities, not the Isle of Man Government.
• There is no specific government policy in place to reduce the transportation of live animals for on-island slaughter.

Data Disclosed

• 886 cattle exported in 2023
• 680 cattle exported in 2024
• 120 cattle exported in 2025 (January to March)
• Request period: January 2023 to March 2025
• Case reference: 4513345

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority
• Information cannot be found after taking reasonable steps

Original Request

I would like to know The number of farm animals that are exported for slaughter annually. Where they are exported to, including any exceptions to the 'normal' destination/s. What species are exported i.e. sheep, cattle, pigs, goats etc. Does the Isle of Man Government know how the animals are all slaughtered, for example are any sent for ritual slaughter such as Halal or the Jewish Shechita (ritual slaughter). Are there any guidelines in place to limit the length of time animals wait to be slaughtered after leaving the IOM and if so how are they policed. Finally can you tell me what steps the Government is making to reduce the transportation of live animals and have them slaughtered on Island? For the period January 2023 to March 2025 Many thanks for your anticipated response.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

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: 4513345 17 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 13 March 2025, which states:

"I would like to know

The number of farm animals that are exported for slaughter annually. Where they are exported to, including any exceptions to the 'normal' destination/s. What species are exported i.e. sheep, cattle, pigs, goats etc. Does the Isle of Man Government know how the animals are all slaughtered, for example are any sent for ritual slaughter such as Halal or the Jewish Shechita (ritual slaughter).

Are there any guidelines in place to limit the length of time animals wait to be slaughtered after leaving the IOM and if so how are they policed.

Finally can you tell me what steps the Government is making to reduce the transportation of live animals and have them slaughtered on Island?

The Department wrote to you on 14 March 2025 to request clarification for the timescale of your request. You replied to the Department on 28 March 2025 and advised:

For the period January 2023 to March 2025

I have detailed below the information that is held and being released to you.

Q1 The number of farm animals that are exported for slaughter annually.

2023 = 886
2024 = 680
2025 = 120

To offer advice and assistance, data for livestock exports (combined further rearing and slaughter) is available on our webpage:

https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/agriculture/cattle/cattle- export-statistics/

https://www.gov.im/categories/business-and-industries/agriculture/sheep- goats/sheep-export-statistics/

Q2 Where they are exported to, including any exceptions to the 'normal' destination/s.

For the period January 2023 to March 2025, cattle were exported to:

• Dunbia (Preston) Church Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6AJ • Woodhead Brothers The Abbatoir, Whitehalls Industrial Estate, Colne, Lancashire, BB8 8LH • Pickstock Telford Ltd Hortonwood 45, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 7FA

Q3 What species are exported i.e. sheep, cattle, pigs, goats etc.

For the period January 2023 to March 2025, only cattle were exported for slaughter.

Q4 Does the Isle of Man Government know how the animals are all slaughtered, for example are any sent for ritual slaughter such as Halal or the Jewish Shechita (ritual slaughter).

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. This is because the Department does not hold this information.

Q5 Are there any guidelines in place to limit the length of time animals wait to be slaughtered after leaving the IOM and if so how are they policed.

Once an animal leaves the Isle of Man the welfare of the animal would be governed by the UK government (local trading standards, Food Standard Agency and Animal Plant and Health Agency).

Q5 Finally can you tell me what steps the Government is making to reduce the transportation of live animals and have them slaughtered on Island?

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the specific the information that you have requested. This is because the Department does not have a specific policy to reduce the transportation of live animals and have them slaughtered on Island.

To offer advice and assistance, the Department’s Agricultural Strategy and Food Security Plan, both of which refer to the importance of the Abattoir to the Island and the agricultural sector, and which were unanimously approved by Tynwald last year, are publicly available on the following webpage: Isle of Man Government - News

Please quote the reference number 4513345 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.