Isle of Man Meats have informed producers that there is an eight week wait time for cattle to be accepted in the IOM Government owned abattoir.
An industry source told Manx.News that if they were going to book cattle on Monday morning (January 22), they would have to wait 8 weeks for them to be called for so won’t be killed till the week beginning March 11.
The producer would then have to wait a further three weeks for payment and wouldn’t receive payment until April 1.
Not just cattle
It isn’t just the cattle that are on a wait list, as are hoggets (lambs) which are on a four week wait.
The source said: “Gone are the days of phoning up on a Monday morning before dinner time to book the stock for the following week, two at the most.
The eight week waiting for cattle was sent in a text message to all producers yesterday along with the current prices.
Producers claim that animals need to go for slaughter when they are at their best and in prime condition.
A delay in processing the animals results in potential over fattening, thus reducing the quality and price, but also incurs additional feed and other costs.
IOM Meats
This week (January 19), Manx.News was told by a number of Isle of Man Beef producers, that a substantial quantity of Manx beef is due to be destroyed by Isle of Man Meats.
The claims by industry sources are that around seventy sides of beef, amounting to around £60,000 are to be sent to the animal waste plant to be destroyed.
Isle of Man Meats and DEFA have so far failed to respond to our request for a response to the allegations.
Left to rot
Sources say that the beef has allegedly been left to rot since mid December.
The abattoir in the Isle of Man, is Government owned and the facility is operated by an ‘arms length’ company “The Isle of Man Meat Company Limited” (Isle of Man Meats).
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