IOMSPC staffing issues 'not impacting food or animal feed availability'

DEFA highlights weather as main issue affecting supplies

Food or animal feed availability has not yet been impacted by the staffing issues at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

The reassurance comes from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which has released a statement to Manx Radio following rising food security concerns.

A spokesperson says we are instead 'seeing some typical supply chain challenges with the larger food retailers that are associated with the weather, which are not unexpected for the time of the year'.

It follows the announcement that the Manxman is now restricted to daytime-only sailings for the next two weeks, due to the ship being undermanned whilst members of the Nautilus union take industrial action.

The MV Arrow has been called in to cover overnight freight services in the meantime.

In a statement, the spokesperson said: "Following the recent announcement from IOM Steam Packet regarding the changes to the sailing schedule, DEFA has been involved in a Government wide conversation regarding how essential supplies to the Island can be maintained, especially food and also animal feed.

"The IOM Steam Packet has indicated that the Arrow will be brought into service to ensure that the freight link is not adversely affected, and as yet we have not seen any food or animal feed availability issues due to the staffing issues at IOM Steam Packet.

"We are seeing some typical supply chain challenges with the larger food retailers that are associated with the weather, which are not unexpected for the time of the year.

"There is a strong local food availability from local shops, local butchers, local bakers, farmers markets and local wholesalers who all have fresh locally produced food available.

"The www.iomfoodanddrink.com website has further details of what local food is available and where this can be sourced."