'Manx meat in Tesco'

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture regarding the production, subsidies, and environmental impact of Isle of Man meats sold in Tesco. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information because Isle of Man Meats is not a public authority under the Freedom of Information Act.

Key Facts

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture does not hold the information requested.
• 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 covered topics including subsidies, competition with local butchers, and environmental impact assessments.
• The case was closed on 4 December 2025.

Data Disclosed

• 5141777
• 2025-12-03
• 2025-12-04
• 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

Can you confirm if the new range of branded Isle of Man meats in Tesco is produced and packaged on island or in the UK.? Is this process been subsidised by the Manx taxpayers? Why is the subsidised Isle of Man meats competing with local butchers risking their own production? How long is this agreement in place with Tesco for? Is a state owned operation competing with Local butchers anti competitive? What impact assessment has been carried out on the environment impact of the extra road miles? Is the meat returns to the island guaranteed to be 100% Manx, or can 'other meats' be substituted in the process.

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: 5141777 4 December 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 3 December 2025, which states:

"Can you confirm if the new range of branded Isle of Man meats in Tesco is produced and packaged on island or in the UK.?

Is this process been subsidised by the Manx taxpayers?

Why is the subsidised Isle of Man meats competing with local butchers risking their own production?

How long is this agreement in place with Tesco for?

Is a state owned operation competing with Local butchers anti competitive?

What impact assessment has been carried out on the environment impact of the extra road miles?

Is the meat returns to the island guaranteed to be 100% Manx, or can 'other meats' be substituted in the process."

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.

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 5141777 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