News release 22nd June 2006:

Manx NFU presents to Tynwald

On Wednesday 21st June the Manx National Farmers' Union and DAFF made a joint presentation to Tynwald. This historic show of collaboration underlines the importance of the next four years to the long term future of Manx agriculture.

Howard Quayle, president of the Manx NFU, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to engage with Tynwald members and begin to win their support for the radical changes faced by the agricultural industry. I was impressed by the number of members who attended, and by the incisive questions and points they raised."

Phil Gawne, Agriculture Minister, pointed out, "This is the first joint presentation made solely by DAFF and the Manx NFU. We were able to show that we are working closely together to find the best solutions to ensure high quality well branded Manx food can be sold both at home and in the export market."

Members were visibly engaged by the Manx NFU's presentation, given by their general secretary, ffinlo Costain. The Manx NFU message meshed clearly with the views of DAFF, and built on the issues they raised.

The core messages of the Manx NFU presentation included:

• Manx farming doesn't just produce food, it manages our Island's beautiful environment, not just for those who live and work here but also for tourists. The Island is also increasingly used as one of the world's largest film sets.
• The average age of today's farmer is 58. We must have a dynamic industry to attract the farmers of tomorrow, who will continue to protect our countryside.
• The potential loss of the red meat derogation in 2011 creates challenges and opportunities. The challenge is to ensure that there are thriving family farms 10 years from now. The opportunities are to ensure that the Manx consumer can once again fill their food basket with Manx produce; to ensure Manx farming produces food consumers want to buy; to ensure a successful Manx brand can be developed in all food sectors, and sold competitively both at home and across the EU.
• The future will see a move away from production-based subsidy towards Countryside Stewardship and perhaps towards other acreage-based unit payments.
• Efficient all-Island solutions are needed in all food sectors.
• The Manx NFU strongly supports food miles labelling to help combat climate change, and to enable consumers to more easily support local producers.
• Manx farming should develop production in niche areas such as organic food.
• We must develop a clear Manx brand, based on the things we do well and which offer us a unique selling point. We expect our new Manx brand to support conservation, biodiversity and compassionate husbandry.
• The Manx NFU presentation stated that farmers are excited by the prospect of a future demand-driven industry. It also re-enforced the fact that agriculture needs the strong support of Tynwald members and the Manx people to change with the speed necessary to prepare for the potential loss of derogation in January 2011.

Howard Quayle said: "By working together and promoting a 'can-do' attitude we will make the changes necessary for farming to be in a better position in 10 years time.

"The potential loss of the derogation is the biggest change the industry has faced since the tractor was invented.

"Not only that, but the industry must change well in advance of 2011 to ensure new systems are robust. We are facing not just the biggest, but also the fastest and most accelerated change in farming anywhere in the British Isles.

"I was very pleased to find the support of so many Tynwald members."

END OF RELEASE

News contact: ffinlo Costain, general secretary - +44 (0) 7624 490 327