Agri News April 2010
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Helping Manx farmers evolve and grow April 2010 Agri-News Published by Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Important new era Index Manx Agriculture entered an important Minister Shimmin said “Incorporating the Minister’s comments 2 new era on 1st April when the environment, food and agriculture into one Re-organisation of Government restructuring of Government took effect. department is a very natural fit - the three and Department changes 3 The new Department of Environment, matters are inextricably linked. I have Food and Agriculture, established from the already seen how significantly Manx Countryside Care Scheme 4 former Department of Agriculture, Agriculture has changed, since I was last in What’s the future for dairy Fisheries and Forestry and incorporating the Department in 1999; the recent changes, elements of the former DoLGE was including Countryside Care provide us with a farming in the Isle of Man? 5 created. The new Department is led by firm foundation for moving forward together.” Beef and Sheep event 6 John Shimmin MHK as Minister and Ken Ken Kinrade commented “The restructure Kinrade as Chief Executive. The Minister “Video Stars” 6 has gone very smoothly and the new will be assisted by Tim Crookhall MHK and Department has lost no time in addressing Energy Champions Award Juan Turner MLC as political members. the issues affecting the industry. for New HQ 7 A smooth handover took place from Negotiations on the red meat Derogation Changes at the top 7 Minister Phil Gawne and former Chief have continued throughout the period: we Executive Colin Kniveton at the new are a little more hopeful for a positive Manx Food events 7 corporate headquarters in St John’s. All outcome given the most recent Local Food Marketing support 8 aspects affecting the ongoing development representations. We are also continuing of a reliable, sustainable, self reliant Manx our ongoing dialogue with the processors Farmhouse Breakfast at Tesco’s 8 agriculture will continue to be addressed. to ensure that their needs, and the needs of their clients, are being addressed.” Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival 2010 9 Manx Loaghtan on the New Headquarters 'Best of British' Menu 9 Manx Gourmet Dinner at Minister John Shimmin MHK, and Ken The 1st of April 2010 was a momentous King William’s College 9 Kinrade, Chief Executive DEFA, welcome day for all at DEFA as we joined together visitors to Thie Slieau Whallian; pictured to form the new Department of Meat and Poultry with Administration Officers Catherine Environment, Food and Agriculture. Processing Awards 10 Lowey (left) from Ballabeg and Jemma Watterson (right) from Ballacosnahan Electronic Tagging in Farm, Patrick. Sheep: EID. 10 Disposal of Fallen Stock 10 Up and Coming Changes in the AI Service 11 Retirement of Peter Williamson, Senior Forester 11 Market trends 12 2 “Farmers are core to every Manx resident’s life. You provide us with our staple foods and protect our environment. Your passion and drive is recognised throughout the community and demonstrated in the value placed on the countryside by our entire population. Yet, you are also business men and it is important that your efforts are suitably rewarded. ” Hon John Philip Shimmin BEd MHK Spring lambs at Kerrow-ny-Glough, Greeba Minister’s comments I am excited at being changing world: a world that is led by about their future, it will be a struggle for the first Minister of the changing consumer demands with Government to also be passionate. Hence, Department of increased global competition and growing I am keen to hear about your problems, Environment, Food and environmental concerns. however, I am even keener to hear your Agriculture, and thrilled solutions. Farmers are core to every Manx resident’s to reacquaint myself life. You provide us with our staple foods Recent meetings on the red meat with the issues affecting and protect our environment. Your passion Derogation appear to have gone well and the Agricultural and drive is recognised throughout the I hope that some form of interim community since leaving community and demonstrated in the value extension should be achievable. DAFF in 1999. placed on the countryside by our entire Ensuring we have a sustainable food chain Firstly, I must pay tribute to my population. Yet, you are also business men is a key priority. It is essential that my predecessor, Phil Gawne. Phil has been an and it is important that your efforts are Department continues to work with the incredibly committed, passionate and suitably rewarded. three processing plants to achieve improved influential minister and, I am sure you will I am aware that recent budget cuts have processing efficiency, better access to agree, a powerful advocate for the dented the confidence of some farmers. higher value markets and improved focus farming industry. Much has changed since Whilst cuts are unfortunate, they are also on the home market. This should deliver I was previously involved in agriculture: I unavoidable and need to be seen in improved services for consumers and help believe the changes that Phil has perspective of increased income from the farmers be properly rewarded from the promoted have gone a long way to market place. Reductions in Government market place they supply. empowering the industry to be far more in spending are affecting all the Island’s charge of its own destiny. I'm certainly You must be congratulated on what you community and savings are having to be not saying that we have got to where we have done in recent years with Phil made across the board. want to be, but we're definitely heading in Gawne, and I would like to help you to the right direction – this must be stated Through my Department I will endeavour achieve even more. loudly and clearly from the outset. We to work with you as best I can; however, Hon John Philip Shimmin BEd MHK live in changing times, and we need to it is important that the industry also plays Shirveishagh adapt and develop the skills needed for a its part: unless farmers are passionate Agri-News April 2010 3 Re-organisation of Government and Department changes By Ed Clague, Agricultural Policy Manager Restructure of Department Department’s conservation strategy. The responsible for the meat graders and the Environment & Government Analyst come Technical Admin group led by Jo Brew. With the restructure of Government and from the former DoLGE. the subsequent change of Minister and Field Service Delivery team Chief Executive; at the same time as the Within the new Agriculture Division there Kim Etherton, Paul Reid, Andy MacLeod Department moving to its new head will be separate Policy and Field Service and Alistair Breed lead the various aspects quarters; coupled with changes from Delivery teams. of Field Service Delivery. earlier in the year, farmers could be Policy team forgiven for being a little confused about Kim leads Service Delivery and has what is what in the new Department. Ed Clague takes responsibility for the primary responsibility for the delivery of Policy team with a future-focused sphere the Countryside Care Scheme (CCS) The new structure is aimed at producing of activity responsible for the future assisted by Andy MacLeod. Kim will also greater efficiencies within Government direction of agricultural policy and be responsible for developing the through a more co-ordinated and effective legislation. The team incorporates Andy Department’s marketing strategy assisted framework of Departments. In the first Macdonald and Chris Kneale who are by Audrey Fowler. instance farmers will see little impact on responsible for the Department’s advisory their day to day relationship with Andrew MacLeod, as Senior Field Officer will strategy and providing leadership, Government and those officers with whom be primarily responsible for practical CCS technical advice and interpretation on they regularly deal. However, more delivery, such as inspections and responses to rural and agricultural issues. Andy and significant changes are inevitable in the technical issues. Paul Reid and Frank Harrison Chris will continue to facilitate a longer term. The new Department of continue to look after the administrative side collaborative and ‘can-do’ culture across Environment, Food and Agriculture consists of the Scheme and most importantly ensuring the whole food chain. Peter McEvoy, of six Divisions, Agriculture, Fisheries, payments are made on time. formerly of the Wildlife and Conservation Forestry, Environment, Government Division joins the team with a strong agri- Alistair Breed takes overall responsibility Laboratory and Corporate Services. environment background and will be key for the AI service and Wool control, with The Agriculture Division has been created in advising on practical solutions in a Andrew Willoughby taking day to day by merging the former Agricultural Services number of on-farm biodiversity issues. responsibilities for these services Division and Animal Health Division and is Richard Ashworth will liaise on veterinary Knockaloe headed by Stuart Jaques as the Director of policy, animal health and scientific matters Agriculture. The delivery of wildlife and The Department finished actively farming and work closely with Ed and the Advisors conservation objectives is now handled by Knockaloe on 31st of March and will be on integrating science into policy. The the individual Divisions thereby freeing up winding down the operation between now promotion of benchmarking will also be a Liz Charter to concentrate on advocacy for and September. key responsibility. Richard is also biodiversity and developing the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS 4 Countryside Care Scheme By Kim Etherton Countryside Care Scheme Project Officer Countryside Care Scheme 2009 • Scrap metal and plastics in fields and in Officers if you need help, but it will field boundaries: non compliance with always be the applicants’ responsibility Staff are busy finalising various aspects of Standard 13 continues to be a main cause to check their land and maps and the Scheme’s first year of operation.