Sales from the Meat Plant
| Authority | Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2025-08-07 |
| Outcome | Information not held |
| Outcome date | 2025-09-03 |
| Case ID | 4857670 |
Summary
A cafe owner requested an explanation for why Isle of Man Meat Plant products cannot be sold directly to food businesses and asked for the relevant legislation. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that they do not hold the specific information requested, citing a political position to protect the butchery sector and noting that the Meat Plant is not a public authority under the FOIA.
Key Facts
- The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture does not hold specific documents addressing the direct sales restriction.
- The Department maintains a political position to safeguard the butchery sector from unfair advantages arising from government subsidies.
- Isle of Man Meats is not listed as a public authority in Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act.
- The requester was advised to contact Isle of Man Meats directly for further assistance.
- The request was formally closed on 2 September 2025.
Data Disclosed
- 4857670
- 2025-08-07
- 2025-09-03
- 02 September 2025
- 7 August 2025
- IM4 3AS
- 01624 685854
- 01624 685851
- Freedom of Information Act 2015
Exemptions Cited
- Information not held
- Isle of Man Meats is not a public authority under the FOIA
Original Request
As a busy cafe, I am unable to go direct to the Meat Plant. I have to buy Manx meat via a butchers shop. Please could you explain why meat from the Isle of Man Meat plant cannot be sold direct to an Isle of Man registered food and drink business. Please could you also let me know the specific legislation / directive and the date that the legislation / directive was enforced / applied.
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: 4857670 02 September 2025
Dear ###
We write further to your request received 7 August 2025, which states:
"As a busy cafe, I am unable to go direct to the Meat Plant. I have to buy Manx meat via a butchers shop. Please could you explain why meat from the Isle of Man Meat plant cannot be sold direct to an Isle of Man registered food and drink business. Please could you also let me know the specific legislation / directive and the date that the legislation / directive was enforced / applied."
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 information that you have requested. This is because while the Department does not hold any specific documents directly addressing this matter, it has consistently maintained a political position aimed at safeguarding the butchery sector from the potential impacts of unfair advantage arising from government subsidies. The Department remains open to reviewing relevant policies and engaging in constructive dialogue to ensure fair support across the sector.
To offer advice and assistance, the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
is to enable persons to obtain access to information held by a public authority. Isle of
Man Meats is not identified as a public authority listed in Schedule 1 of the FOIA.
You may wish to contact Isle of Man Meats directly who may be able to assist further
with your request.
Please quote the reference number 4857670 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:
-
Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
-
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