Improvements still needed at meat plant - minister

The government-subsidised facility is based in Braddan

Governance at the Isle of Man's meat plant has been "improved significantly" but more needs to be done, the minister with responsibility for it has said.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber took over as chairman of the loss-making plant's board after a 2022 report revealed serious failings at the facility in Tromode.

She confirmed it was still her intention to step down from the role, which she had taken on due to the "exceptional circumstances".

A subsequent turnaround plan had seen production reach a four-year high before Christmas, but recent concerns had "hindered that success", she said.

The minister updated members of the House of Keys on the progress made at Isle of Man Meats since Tynwald backed reforms to the business in December 2022, which included the transfer of its ownership to the Treasury from her department.

She said the board had new members with a "breadth of experience", and a new managing director had also concentrated efforts on the reform of the workforce and improved operations and compliance, Ms Barber said.

'Very clear lines'

Since the appointments, the government-owned plant was making "rapid and successful progress" despite recent issues, which saw two batches of beef destroyed due to production delays and an issue with use by dates, she said.

"Many improvements have been made already, but many are still to be undertaken", the minister told MHKs.

When asked about transferring her department's controlling stake in the firm, Ms Barber said it was ready to respond when a decision over the "broader considerations" surrounding government company ownership had been made.

On her dual role on the board and as minister, she said had maintained her position as chairman and Michelle Haywood MHK, as a member of the department, had taken "complete responsibility for any recent work" connected to the plant.

"There are very clear lines but the cleanest position, one which I seek to achieve, is one where I am not on the board," she added.