Festival format posed 'significant risk' to food budget

Minister warns all money for industry would have been lost if event had to be cancelled last minute

Almost having to cancel the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival two years in a row highlighted a significant risk in the way the department behind the event supports the food sector.

That's from Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber following the announcement that this year's event has been scrapped.

In 2022, it was decided to go ahead with the festival despite it falling during the period of mourning following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II, while last year's edition was impacted by heavy rain.

Minister Barber previously said the event "plays a significant role in growing the food and drink sector", but now sees investing all her budget in one event could cause issues: