Weekly kill rate

Summary

A request for weekly livestock kill rates, export inspection details, mortality statistics, and transport locations was made to the Isle of Man Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The authority withheld information on kill rates and transport locations citing commercial and safety exemptions, while stating that data on inspections and mortality was not held.

Key Facts

• Information on weekly cattle, sheep, lamb, and pig kill rates was withheld to protect the commercial interests of Isle of Man Meats.
• The authority confirmed it does not hold data on whether every export wagon is inspected by a vet.
• The authority confirmed it does not hold data on the number of animals found dead upon unloading over the last 12 months.
• Transport locations were withheld under a health and safety exemption to prevent endangering individuals involved in UK livestock transport.
• The public interest test concluded that maintaining the exemptions outweighed the benefits of disclosure for all withheld items.

Data Disclosed

• 2019-08-06
• 2019-09-10
• 917122
• 12 months
• Section 30(2)(b)
• Section 30(1)(a)
• Section 36

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30(2)(b) - Commercial interests
• Section 30(1)(a) - Commercial interests
• Section 36 - Health and safety

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: 917122 10th September 2019

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on the 6th August 2019 and which states:

1. How many cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs killed last week?
2. On animals being exported is every wagon inspectors by a vet?
3. Over the last 12 months how many animals have been found dead when the wagon is unloaded?

4. What are the locations the animals have been taken to across? Our response to your request is as follows

5. How many cattle, sheep, lambs and pigs killed last week? Response This information is withheld under Section 30(2)(b) of the FoIA as its disclosure would be likely to provide a commercial advantage to competitors of Isle of Man Meats, for instance by using it to attempt to undercut IOM Meats on pricing. As the Meat Plant is vital to the success of the meat sector of the Manx agricultural industry the information is also withheld under section 30(1)(a). Public Interest In assessing where the Public Interest lies in relation to Section 30 of the FoIA and the release of this information the following factors have been considered. Factors in favour of disclosure: • IOM Meats is subsidised using taxes so there is a public interest in the transparency of its operation and the ability of the public to scrutinise the use of those taxes. Factors in favour of maintaining the exemption and withholding the information are: • There is a general public interest in ensuring that the agricultural industry is robust and to be such it must have access to a Meat Plant that is operated in the best interests of the Island. The Meat

Plant is a finely balanced operation and anything that may adversely affect its viability is not in the best interests of the economy or the landscape of the Island. Having balanced the factors in favour of disclosure with the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption we consider that, in all circumstances of this case, the public interest in maintaining the Qualified Exemption under sections 30(2)(b) and 30(1)(a) outweighs that in disclosure. 2. On animals being exported is every wagon inspectors by a vet? Response This information is not held. 3. Over the last 12 months how many animals have been found dead when the wagon is unloaded? Response This information is not held. 4. What are the locations the animals have been taken to across? Response While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance this information is withheld under section 36 (Health and safety) of the FoI Act. Its release would be likely to endanger the safety of individuals involved in the transport through, and receiving of the livestock, in the UK. As section 36 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: Disclosure would improve the confidence of the public in the regulation of livestock transport.

Factors in favour of maintaining the exemption and withholding the information are: It is well documented that the transportation of livestock The Health and Safety of operatives involved in transporting and receiving the livestock in the UK

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 917122 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