Isle of Man snow: Livestock death toll reaches 14,000

Thousands of animals were trapped under heavy in the Isle of Man during March

Livestock losses due to March's heavy snow in the Isle of Man have risen above 14,000, the president of the Manx National Farmers' Union has said.

Ray Craine said the figure could rise as there is still deep snow in places.

"It is hard to believe but up in the hills some of the gullies are still full and more animals are still being revealed now," he said.

According to the Manx government the impact of extreme weather will cost the farming community more than £1m.

Agriculture minister Phil Gawne said Manx farmers are still "counting the cost of the disaster".

'Heaviest since 1963'

According to the Isle of Man meteorological office, last month's snowfall was the heaviest since 1963 with the worst hit areas on the west coast.

Mr Craine added: "The weather in March has meant that the grass is at least three or four weeks behind where it should be - which is leading to more costs for farmers.

"There isn't enough grass to get the cows in the fields so we are having to supplementary feed them and it is also affecting the sheep and lambs.

"We are still talking to government about compensation to help the hardest hit farmers who wouldn't be able to stand the costs of replacing their stock."

About 90% of the Isle of Man is given over to agricultural production with about 450 farms, some with thousands of livestock.

In Tynwald last week Mr Gawne announced the government will take a "three-pronged approach" to supporting the Isle of Man's farming industry.

The measures will include direct emergency support, the offering of interest free or low interest loans and support for the island's meat plant which has been directly affected.

This week the meat plant bosses announced the loss of 12 jobs at the facility which has seen production drop by 20% since the extreme weather hit.

It is estimated more than 10% of all the sheep on the island died as a result of being buried in the snow, although some farmers may have lost in the region of 70% of their stock.

A grant scheme aimed at helping farmers fix broken fences after heavy snowfall in March, has been opened to applications.