The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) has apologised to Davison’s Ice Cream for the abuse it received over an exclusivity agreement.
The Department says it “offers its sincere and wholehearted apologies to Davison’s for the Department’s role in how things played out over the course of the recent Royal Manx Agricultural Show”.
Davisons’s have a legal agreement in place with both the Royal and Southern Shows, both for a 10-year period, that enables Davison’s to be the sole seller of and exhibitor of ice cream or gelato.
Exclusivity Agreement
The agreement means that without prior approval from the organising committee as per the lease agreement, no other vendors can sell the product at the shows.
These legal agreements were put into place in 2015 and 2019 respectfully, and all other producers in existence at this time had every right to go for them as Davison’s did.
The issue of Davison’s holding an exclusivity tender for the island’s two agricultural shows exploded as some islanders criticised the Peel based ice cream manufacturer and accused of being anti-competition.
Another retailer posted on Facebook the night before the show which said it was not allowed to attend.
That led to criticism of show organisers, the government and Davison’s over the exclusion of the other company.
DEFA Apology
DEFA says it was “aware of the presence of an exclusivity agreement” between the Royal Manx Agricultural Show and Davison’s.
The department understands that agreements of this nature are “not unusual and ensure guaranteed presence of a producer at an event come rain or shine”.
It also acknowledges and validates the private legal contract established between Davison’s and the Royal Show.
Working Together
The Department added: “The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is a remarkable event organised by a team of dedicated volunteers.
“Events of this calibre and scale typically depend on sponsorship to be economically sustainable from organisations like Davison’s.
“The Department is committed to working with Davison’s in a positive way well into the future and we look forward to continuing to see Davison’s as a strong, vibrant and passionate contributor to the Island’s food and drink sector, as well as the wider economy.”
Davison’s Response
The ice cream maker has thanked DEFA for its apology and for “admitting the fault” was the departments and not Davison’s.
It added: “While it doesn’t change the outcome/ negativity we received from the weekend it at least goes a long way in helping to keep things positive between ourselves and the department going into the future.”
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