The Chief Minister says the government will continue to work with Tesco and local producers to help ensure Manx produce sell in supermarkets.
Alf Cannan was questioned about the takeover and what lessons it may have learned about other possible large takeovers.
Mr Cannan said that the takeover would always have a “level of impact on our community” but there had been positives and said that the government had helped to work through this.
He said: “There have also been a number of challenges with food producers and suppliers being required to gain a necessary accreditation to meet Tesco supplier requirements.
“While such requirements are commonplace in the UK and many other countries, this has represented a step change for many local producers.
“The Department for Enterprise and the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture have had and continue to have considerable involvement and engagement, both with local producers and Tesco representatives.
“Government has been active in ensuring the voices of local businesses are heard and have delivered direct access to senior decision makers within the supermarket support, including direct financial assistance, has been made available to local food and drink producers to prepare for and to gain the necessary accreditation and provide them with the opportunity to get their products into stores, should they wish to do so.”
Turkeys
With Storm Darragh’s impact on the ferries fresh in people’s minds, the Chief Minister was asked by Onchan MHK Julie Edge about empty shelves and whether Tesco, as well as other stores, can maintain levels.
She said: “When there’s no access for boats and when all your eggs are in one basket, it does cause concern for the public.”
Mr Cannan said that he is confident that the island has the capability of delivering food security in emergency situations, particularly in the run up to Christmas.
He added: “Clearly, during periods of significant storms, there is travel disruption, and travel disruption means that some goods do not arrive on the island.
“We’ve been in far worse situations than we have been this weekend in previous years, in fact, if my memory serves me correctly, some years ago, possibly a decade or so ago, we went five days in the days before Christmas without supplies, getting to the island, and we managed to survive and have our Christmas turkey.”
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