Reports

Summary

The requester asked for all DEFA commissioned reports on Isle of Man Meats since 2022, but the Department withheld the information citing an exemption for material intended for future publication.

Key Facts

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture holds the requested reports but refused to disclose them.
• The information is exempt under Section 41 as it is held with a view to future publication.
• The Department plans to publish the reports on its website by 01 June 2026.
• The public interest test concluded that withholding the information to ensure accuracy and equal access outweighed the benefits of early disclosure.
• The requester has the right to request an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• 2022
• 2026-01-30
• 2026-02-25
• 01 June 2026
• 5266617
• Section 41

Exemptions Cited

• Section 41: Information for further publication

Original Request

I request all DEFA commissioned reports on Isle of Man Meats since 2022 to present day.

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: 5266617 25 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 30 January 2026, which states:

I request all DEFA commissioned reports on Isle of Man Meats since 2022 to present day.

Section 41, Information for further publication While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 41 of the Act as it is held with a view to being published at a future date and in all the circumstances it is reasonable that the information be withheld from disclosure until that time.

To offer advice and assistance, the Department intends to publish the Department commissioned reports on Isle of Meats on its website by 01 June 2026.

As section 41 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 • Access to information may enhance public trust in the Department activities and decision making
• Disclosure could support informed public debate or allow stakeholders to prepare for or respond to upcoming developments
• If the information is of immediate relevance to a current issues, early disclosure may be more valuable than waiting for formal publication

Factors in favour of withholding • The Department have planned a structured released to ensure accuracy, completeness and appropriate context
• Premature disclosure of incomplete or draft material could mislead the public or result in misinterpretation
• Ensuring all stakeholders have equal access to the information at the same time, rather than through selective release

In taking these factors into account the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 5266617 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.