The Hon. Member for Onchan, Ms Edge, to ask The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture:
If she will make a statement on any issues with supply from Isle of Man Meats; and what the process is for the appointment of non-executive Directors.
Question O-202501-2311 published on 20 11 2025; Answer published on 21 11 2025.
The Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture (Mrs Barber):
I am aware of the concerns raised by local customers, butchers, supermarkets, and consumers regarding the current availability of Manx Meat.
Officers within DEFA are actively engaging with butchers and supermarkets to fully understand the challenges and frustrations and have been in conversation with the Board of Isle of Man Meats as they identify and implement solutions.
It is helpful to remind his honourable court that DEFA is the shareholder, and not the operator.
Whilst previously I have taken a role on the Board we do now have in place a Chair and Board of Directors that does not include Department representatives. In this circumstance I feel it best to refer to the statement released by the Company on the 8* November;
“The Isle of Man Meat Company remains dedicated to supporting the island’s agricultural sector and ensuring long-term food security for our community.
We (they) are pleased to report that livestock numbers are now increasing and are expected to return to normal levels over the coming weeks, continuing through the Christmas period and beyond.”
With regards to the appointment process for non-executive Directors to the Board of Isle of Man Meats, there is no defined process. Our preference would be to have an open recruitment process, as has taken place in the past, however circumstances can and have been presented where it has been necessary to make direct appointments.
I am mindful that the current Board membership were recruited as an ’emergency’ Board, and as such were not appointed through an open recruitment process. It is intended that in April 2026 a full recruitment process will take place for a longer term, established board.
In the interim period however, it is my intention that there will be a further direct limited term appointment made to support the turnaround work underway.
28 November 2025
