More than a year on, the MNFU is still waiting for the DOI to show the legislation that allows it to charge for fallen stock collection.
In the material seen by Manx.News, the Manx National Farmers Union notes that the Department has repeatedly stated that the legal power exists, including at a meeting on April 1, 2026 where officials “categorically” confirmed they held the authority and promised an answer before the end of April.
That deadline passed without clarification.
Twelve Months Later
The documents show the Union has pressed the DoI for over 12 months, including through an FOI request and a review, neither of which produced the legislation.
Farmers have raised concerns about price increases of 100 to 300%, the lack of negotiation, and the absence of alternative disposal options on the island.
An email from the Waste Management Team apologised for the continued delay, citing workload and limited legislative resource, and said they would provide the legal position “as soon as practicable”.
‘wholly unsatisfactory’
In its response, the MNFU described the situation as “wholly unsatisfactory”, saying it is “a concern that the Department states that they have the legal vires to charge for the collection of fallen stock, but subsequently cannot identify where this may be in the legislation, despite having over a year to review”.
The Union has provided the DOI with the Acts and regulations it has already reviewed, including the Animal By‑Product Regulations 2019 and the Public Health Act 1990, and has requested immediate clarification.
The MNFU says it will not enter further pricing discussions until the legal basis is confirmed, adding that farmers face a monopoly service and questioning why farms are charged while catering outlets are not charged for comparable waste collections.
