The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) says the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) is forcing ‘catastrophic’ costs on local farmers with its planned three phase increase of animal waste charges.
Ean Parsons, President of the MNFU, said the rises are ‘punishing’ for his members.
Speaking about the DoI’s charges, Ean said: “The final level that they’re talking at getting to are absolutely catastrophic.”
Manx.News spoke to Ean who explained how the DoI’s decision to increase the charges will have a devastating impact on the agricultural industry:
He explained that the already struggling industry ‘cannot stand’ the ‘unprecedented’ level of charges to be set by the DoI.
Ean said: “It would be around six or eight weeks ago we first got the news that DoI were looking to put up animal waste charges significantly. Most of which doubling, in same cases three times.”
No Correspondence
He says that prior to this there had been “no correspondence” with the DoI at the point the MNFU were first made aware of the increases.
Upon finding out meetings were organised between the Union and the DoI to try and find a mutual agreement, but none were found and the increases started on Monday (July 1).
Due to legislation, producers are not allowed to bury on farm and cannot dispose of fallen stock any other way than via the animal waste plant.
Ean said that the logical step for him would be to keep the charges inline with prices set in the UK, and he believes that agricultural industry would accept that.
Catastrophic Charges
MNFU is calling on farmers to withhold payments to the government following a “significant” increase in fallen stock and meat plant waste charges.
The MNFU says that in pursuing these charges, DOI Minister and civil servants have demonstrated ”absolute contempt and disregard for the Manx agricultural industry”.
The rates below are the first phase of price increases, with another two of the same amount, to follow:
Despite the MNFU and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s (DEFA) efforts, the DOI increased the charges from July 1.
Farmers Refuse to Pay
Following the lack of movement from the DOI, the MNFU is taking a stand against the DOI and its ‘unfair and reasonable’ charges.
It is asking its members to refuse to pay any invoices for fallen stock until the DOI backs down on the charge increases and reduces them to increasing only by inflation.
The Union says that it will not tolerate the “unreasonable behaviour” of the government.
Manx.News has approached the DOI Minister and invited him for interview, however so far the invitation has not been accepted.
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