Increased fallen stock costs 'concern' for DEFA, says minister

DOI has increased some costs by 185%

Increases in fallen stock charges are of 'concern' for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).

That's according to the minister, who's been reacting to recent proposed increases from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).

Currently, the DOI's Animal Waste Section has an exclusive service delivery agreement with DEFA to collect and dispose of fallen animals for Manx farmers.

The department recently announced proposed changes - to be enforced from 1 July 2024.

In one instance, this would see the cost increase by 185 per cent.

Proposed changes include:

(PHOTO: Taken from Jason Moorhouse's Facebook post on the topic, citing concerns raised by his constituents ahead of this month's Tynwald sitting)

In Tynwald this week, Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse raised the issue, asking Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall to clarify the increases.

Mr Crookall blamed the running costs for the Island's animal waste plant, revealing it costs £615,000 to operate, but it is currently operating at a deficit:

But DEFA Minister, Clare Barber told Manx Radio that's not good enough when farmers have already budgeted for the current financial year:

Mrs Barber says her department is engaging with both the DOI and the Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) over the issue.

You can hear her conversation with Manx Radio in full below:

And you can hear the full question time regarding this topic in Tynwald below: