Call for more Manx produce in supermarkets

The Isle of Man is close to "100% dependent" on food imports, according to a Tynwald motion

A petition calling for supermarkets and government departments to use more local produce is to be discussed in Tynwald.

Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh will present the petition - set up by the Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) and signed by 1,800 people.

The petition, which will be considered at the December sitting, calls on all supermarkets on the island to "procure, supply and promote" Manx produce.

It also calls on government-operated services to "prioritise" such food - warning that the island was "close to 100% dependent" on imported produce.

'Collective responsibility'

The island's current food dependence is "not sustainable for Manx farming or the Manx economy - and it's a huge food security risk", according to the Tynwald motion.

MNFU General Secretary Sarah Comish said she was "quite shocked" by the island's 6% food dependence figure before starting the petition earlier this year.

"6% is nowhere near enough," she said, "we export lots of meat, that really needs to be back on the island.

"The largest share of the Isle of Man is through UK supermarkets, that has had a huge impact on our farmers."

Ms Comish stated the island's "route to market" for its produce was increasingly difficult through rising shipping costs for imported food.

"We're hoping to claim collective responsibility for our food and a recognition of the value of that local product" she said.

"[The Isle of Man] has the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world, that comes at a cost, but it's got to be worth it."

The island's government now had a "crucial" part to play in ensuring that cost was not brought on to the consumer, according to Ms Comish.

She believed the industry was low on confidence, with some unsure of whether to invest in a farming product when there might not be demand for it later down the line.

Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh will present the petition

Wannenburgh echoed the reservations around the Isle of Man's food dependence.

"We've only got two vegetable farmers left on the island [and] 10 years ago we had 13 milling wheat farmers, today we've only got two," he said.

"Food and energy security were the two most important issues facing an island of our size."

Wannenburgh also said he would like to see the island's food percentage sold there reach 15% to 20%.

He said: "Imported products can be made available at cheaper prices but the problem with that is that it can be turned off.

"We have very good produce on the Isle of Man [but] it's the old saying - we either use it or lose it."

The government has been approached for comment.