Isle of Man Goats has defended its safety standards after an “outbreak” of cryptosporidiosis at other farms during lambing season.
The farm said it was “some ‘petting farms’ on the island do not seem to be taking the correct measures to protect visitors,” but stressed that its own hygiene and welfare practices have been in place for more than a decade.
It highlighted its long-running Kidding Chaos events, charity open days and DEFA‑supported educational tours, saying it had welcomed “thousands of visitors” without a single illness complaint.
Safety Standards
The owners said they were the first on the island to restrict pregnant women from visiting during lambing and kidding, and pointed to three hand‑washing stations, a dedicated visitor toilet and a mandatory safety briefing before anyone enters the farm.
It said children and parents are always told to keep their hands away from their faces until they have washed thoroughly at the end of a session.
It added that responsible farmers should be able to spot when lambs are unwell and close to the public if needed.
“Any farm with lambs showing any signs of illness should not be open,” the statement said.
Not Us
The farm criticised 3FM and government social media channels for using generic images of children with goats in posts about the current cryptosporidiosis outbreak, saying the animals pictured were not theirs.
Isle of Man Goats described themselves as “the island’s go‑to farm” for hands‑on interactions with livestock and said they take their duty of care “extremely seriously”.
It added: “We are farmers, not hobbyists, and we take our duty of care to our animals, and to anyone that visits them, extremely seriously.”
The government’s earlier advisory reminded the public that cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic infection that can be contracted through contact with animals or contaminated environments, usually causes short‑term gastrointestinal illness but can be more serious for vulnerable people.
It urged visitors to wash hands with soap and water after touching animals, avoid eating in animal areas, and seek medical advice if they feel unwell after a farm visit.