Isle of Man Guide

CHIEF Minister Tony Brown has announced today that the Council of Ministers have listened to and addressed the recently expressed concerns of the Agricultural Community relating to the “Restructuring of Government Report”.

The issue relates to the embodiment of the present Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry into a new Department of Community, Culture and Leisure and the proposed removal of the word “Agriculture” from the title. To overcome this, the Chief Minister has confirmed the matter has been reviewed and he will be confirming to Tynwald this week that the Council of Ministers now propose the responsibilities of the existing DAFF be incorporated into a new Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

This will mean that the responsibilities identified within the creation of a new Department of the Environment will now be joined with the responsibilities presently undertaken by DAFF within the now proposed new Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The Chief Minister explained the basis of the Council of Ministers original recommendation relating to Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry industries as set out in their Report flowed from the Independent Review Report of 2006 where it was recommended by the Review team that the Agricultural industry should be incorporated into a new Department of Countryside, Heritage and Leisure.

After recent representations however the Council of Ministers recognised the genuine concerns expressed and have agreed to recommend the change announced today.

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