Shock at proposed removal of DAFF

The Manx National Farmers' Union is 'shocked and appalled' by the chief minister's proposed reorganisation of the Isle of Man government.

If the changes are approved in Tynwald later this month, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will disappear altogether and its responsibilities will be taken over by a newly created Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.

Neither the industry nor the MNFU was given any advance warning of the planned restructuring.

President of the union Howard Quayle says he can't think of any civilised country that doesn't have a Department of Agriculture, and he doesn't believe the proposed new department could seriously reflect the businesses of those involved in agriculture and fishing: