The DEFA Minister confirmed that work to assess the suitability of seaweed as fertiliser is only at an exploratory stage, despite the department already contacting local authorities about the idea.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse asked what assessment had been carried out before DEFA wrote to commissioners.
Minister Clare Barber said the department had received inquiries over the past year and, due to global fertiliser pressures, had begun “a small piece of work” to explore alternatives, but emphasised they were “at the very start” of the process.
Moorhouse challenged the sequence of events, noting that farmers, the Manx NFU and environmental groups had not been consulted before local authorities.
“The proposal had already prompted questions from several local authorities, some of which include members with agricultural backgrounds,” he said.
Minister Barber rejected the suggestion that the idea originated within DEFA’s environmental division, replying simply: “No.”
Pressed on risks such as microplastics and toxins, Minister Barber said these issues “will absolutely be part of this work,” but confirmed that current exemptions allowing seaweed to be deposited on land do not require testing. Responsibility, she said, “sits with the landowner”.
She added that landowners “are not exclusively farmers,” and inquiries had come from both sides.
The full exchange can be listened to here:
