Posted
1st February 2010
Manx NFU statement in response to the Chief
Minister's proposed Isle of Man Government reorganisation
There has
been no prior warning of these proposals and it is therefore difficult
to issue a comprehensive statement without close scrutiny of the full
facts and implications of this morning's press announcement. However,
an initial impression is that we have a Chief Minister fiddling while
Rome burns.
The Isle
of Man is facing huge uncertainty, we all recognise that difficult
decisions are needed regarding budgetary savings, but the Manx National
Farmers' Union does not consider that a Department entitled 'The
Department of Community, Culture and Leisure' reflects the businesses
which are involved in agriculture.
Agriculture
generates and creates a large and significant volume of economic
activity on the Isle of Man with over four hundred farm businesses and
several hundred jobs directly related to the manufacturing and
processing of Manx food.
Howard
Quayle, President of the Manx National Farmers' Union declared: "I am
shocked and appalled to hear the news at a time when the whole Island
needs stability and confidence to be generated by Government,
particularly in those industries which are vital to the economic
viability of our Island. I would question whether there is any
civilised and developed country that does not have a Department of
Agriculture. The Chief Minister is not recognising that at time when
food supplies are becoming threatened globally the importance and
significance of a viable and sustainable Manx agricultural industry is
key. Agriculture is being relegated to a leisure activity. No one, who
has been involved in this industry, can deny the hard, long hours that
farmers put in to ensure reliable, quality food supplies on the Isle of
Man."
It is not
clear whether there will be any budgetary savings from this re-jigging
of departments and this will require close examination of the costs
involved: For example the costs of signage, livery on vehicles,
departmental stationery and clothing etc.
END
For
further comment from the Manx National Farmers' Union on this
issue please contact General Secretary, Belinda Leach Tel:
01624 662204
