Food security and support on the minds of farmers

With around 75% of the Isle of Man used for agriculture, farming is a vital industry for the island.

There are more than 300 farms on the island, three-quarters of which specialise in cattle and sheep.

While farming is a major part of the economy, it is also a way of life for many on the island.

With the election coming up, what do those living and working in rural communities want to hear from the people looking to represent them?

Jenny Shepherd, who farms the rare Manx Loaghtan sheep at Ballacosnahan Farm in the Glenfaba and Peel constituency of the island, said she was passionate about preserving the breed.

She has the largest flock of Loaghtan sheep in the world.

But she would like to see more support from the government.

"There is no encouragement to keep them and yet they've been here over a thousand years.

"Our native animal and we're going to lose them soon," she said.

She said she was keen to show there can be "a very viable farm business with just Loaghton sheep" and highlighted their wool and meat being worth more.

Shepherd also said she was concerned about changes in recent years to the Agri-Environment Scheme - which she said impacts smaller farmers in particular.

"Loaghtans are in a perilous position and they are part of our heritage.

"They need a little government help, a little understanding, not spending a vast fortune.

"So yes, I would like something to showcase this beautiful breed and protect it, to encourage more people to have them," she said.

Matt Harrison, the owner of Isle of Man Farm Shop, which stocks products from Manx producers including vegetables, meat, seafood, clothing and crafts, said food security is a big issue for many farmers.

"I think people are very concerned about the fact that we import the vast majority of our food when we don't really have to," he said.

Harrison said he felt something needed to be done to bring down the cost of shipping items to the island, describing the surrounding sea as "probably the most expensive stretch of water in the world".

He would also like to see more education around food security.

"Everybody talks about it and says, 'Well, we haven't got a lot of food security', 'We don't grow a lot of things here'.

"Actually we do.

"Yes, it is seasonal because the nature of what we grow is seasonable.

"You link that with the cost of living which is also a hot topic, but if it's locally grown you haven't got to pay to bring it here so food is cheaper."

Harrison, who worked on farms when he was young and has worked as a consultant for Defra in the UK, said he understood "pretty acutely the trials and tribulations that the community faces".

"I think we can do more to support farmers and to support local.

"Number one they need some financial help which is important and I think we can do more on that and number two on educating people to buy local to support their growth."

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