Tynwald backs government emphasis on local food

A bid to ensure more use of local produce by the government and encourage its sale in supermarkets has been supported by the Isle of Man's parliament.

Tynwald voted to note the Manx Produce Public Petition - started by the Manx National Farmers' Union and put forward by John Wannenburgh MHK - and to get more local foods on supermarket shelves while also ensuring it is prioritised in government services "where possible".

During the debate Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber, put forward an amendment for the efforts to apply to non-UK supermarkets as well UK franchises.

Progress on that would also be presented annually within reviews of the island's Food Security Plan.

However, Barber said: "It'll take more than good intentions to shape our food production sector, everyone has a role to play in supporting our farms and food producers."

Removing the obligation for all Manx produce stocked on supermarket shelves with the original motion, she said that not "practically feasible" in all cases, and she did not want it to take "independent decision making" away from farmers.

She said consumer demand for locally-produced goods was important to ensure the island's 94% dependency on food imports was effective in the long-term.

"The scheme will utilise evidence-based policy, targeting resources, strong business support, retailer enablement and encouraging consumers to choose local," she added.

The motion was presented by Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh on behalf of the farming union after its petition to bolster the selling of island-produced goods received 1,800 signatures.

He said the fact just 6% of produce sold on the island was Manx-made was a "sobering statistic".

Manx farmers, who he said now operated in a "high risk, low security environment", felt "largely ignored" on the matter of food security.

The member pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic as highlighting the need for a reliable food supply for an island of their size.

"Most recent agricultural statistics show that in the last 10 years alone, farm holdings have reduced by 100, a 25% downturn, potato production has fallen 38% in the same time whilst there's only two commercial vegetable producers now on the island," he said.

"The distress flares should have been fired at that stage."

The bid to encourage more use of local produce by the government follows changes to primary school meal menus to greater reflect the local offering and slash the amount of processed foods the island's children were eating at school.

Education Minster Daphne Caine, who seconded the amendments, applauded the school meals changes.

She said: "The previous menu contained almost 50% ultra-processed foods which is now significantly reduced to around 5%, helped in part by the use of local produce.

"We aim to secure a consistent increase in the use of Manx produce."

Caine labelled Wannenburgh's motion and Barber's amendments a "win-win for the island on so many levels".

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