MANNIN/ISLE OF MAN: 'PRODUCTIVE FARMING' OR COUNTRYSIDE CUSTODIANS DEBATE

«DO YOU WANT FOOD TO BE PRODUCED ON THE ISLAND» - This was the impassioned headline of an article in the most recent issue of Yn Pabyr Seyr the newspaper of Mec Vannin the Manx Nationalist Party. The accompanying article set out the arguments the «Farmers for Productive Farming Group» (FfPFG) via their spokesman Manx Farmer David Moore in what is becoming an increasingly intense debate about the future of Manx Agriculture.

David Moore's full article in YPS can be found here:

(voir le site) (Yn Pabyr Seyr - Issue 42 - 2009 pdf reader required)

Mec Vannin is unashamedly in the FfPFG camp having been a constant and vigorous supporter of Manx traditional industries such as Agriculture and Fisheries for almost half a century. Indeed also in YPS is a clear statement from the Party entitled «THE FUTURE IS FARMING» which reaffirms this support.

Now the Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne (a member of the Celtic League Manx branch and for some years a member of Mec Vannin) has outlined an alternative case which is set out below:

«A largely inaccurate article entitled »The Future is Farming ...« appeared in the last edition of Yn Pabyr Seyr. The article began by explaining that Mec Vannin endorses the views and concerns of Farmers FOR Productive Farming and a notice from that group also appeared in the same edition of Yn Pabyr Seyr.

I too share many of the concerns expressed by this small 'fringe' group of farmers as indeed do all the main organisations which represent the agricultural industry. Where we differ is that the majority of farmers and all their representative bodies (except David Moore's small group) believe that the policy which was supported by Tynwald in December 2008 will save our farming community. This policy was developed by the agricultural community working closely with my department during a three year consultation exercise including two full public consultations and hundreds of meetings with farmers.

Having presented my department's policy at more than thirty meetings each of which had between twenty and two hundred farmers in attendance I am surprised that your unattributed article suggests that in some way I lack the courage of my convictions. It is true that I was unwilling to share a platform to discuss the future of our agricultural industry at the Positive Action Group (PAG) meeting with just David Moore, for the simple reason that David's small group represents only a small number of farmers.

I made clear to the PAG however that if they also invited a representative of the Manx National Farmers Union (which represents 70 - 80% of farmers) to present the majority view, I would be more than happy to share such a meeting with David Moore. PAG then suggested that the easiest format would be for me to present the industry's preferred way forward and then supporters and opponents could speak from the floor. It was PAG who booked the venue and it was too small as about twenty people were unable to get in, although a disproportionate number of David Moore's supporters were in attendance.

Your article then suggests that the new policy will result in the loss of our ability to sustain essential food production. Bearing in mind we currently export about 60% of our produce, we have a huge distance to fall before we are unable to produce enough to feed our people so I'm uncertain how such a bleak picture can be painted by your unnamed article writer. The fact is that the overwhelming view of farmers is that the old policy, which we have now replaced, would have led to the result which Mec Vannin apparently believes the new policy will deliver.

The final statement which I feel should be corrected is your article writer's assertion that it is now government policy to eradicate farming as a viable industry. This unfounded statement comes less than nine months after I received unanimous support from Tynwald for a strategy to deliver a robust and self reliant agricultural industry capable of feeding the Manx people and less than two years since Tynwald approved a ?5million Agricultural Development Fund to help our farmers make a profitable living out of farming. This massive level of commitment and support from Tynwald to our farming community is unprecedented and has been welcomed across the Manx food chain.

Phillip Gawne»

The Agriculture Minister prefaces his response to Mec Vannin by holding out the apparent olive branch of a meeting saying he would be happy to meet Mec Vannin «so that I can better understand your concerns and if necessary alter policy to better meet the needs of our food production industry».

However, given that the Minister's personal views appear fairly intractable and the move from productive agriculture to land conservation has now become government policy its unclear how Mec Vannin (MV) will respond as the current agriculture strategy of government is completely at odds with MV policy.

Mec Vannin's policy on the agricultural industry is quite clear the policy document states:

'Farming and horticulture. We must increase our self sufficiency with improved land utilisation and co-ordination between the Government and the industry. Particular consideration should be given to increasing the effectiveness of the marketing societies in respect of promotion and long term planning for the industry. There should be greater opportunities for youth to enter the industry and stricter controls on the conversion of agricultural land to «palatial gardens» and «Gentleman's estates».'

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

15/01/09