Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
Whilst these traditional industries and their ancillary services play a less significant role on the Isle of Man than they once did, they still provide considerable employment and have political, social and strategic importance.
The Manx Government, through its Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, acknowledges this importance by making available to farmers and growers a wide range of financial support measures and services by way of grants, loans and subsidies. Also provided are advisory/technical services relating to disease and pest control, all aspects of agronomy, animal husbandry, farm management and horticulture. Similar support is accorded to the catching sector of the sea fishing industry by way of grant and loan assistance for the acquisition and improvement of fishing vessels. Financial incentives are available to encourage Manx registered/crewed vessels to land fish to local processors, technical services and education. The Department also has its own fishery protection vessel which operates within the Island's territorial waters. Production subsidies are where possible quality orientated. The main objectives continuing to be competitive and buoyant industries maximising the worthwhile exploitation of export possibilities, subject to first satisfying the requirement of the home market.
Farming
The total agricultural acreage (including rough grazings) is around 113,000 acres or 80% of the land mass of the Island, with agriculture basically a mixed farming industry. The agricultural livestock population mainly comprises cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry (eggs and broiler production). Traditional mixed and small scale farming is still prevalent but in decline. There are continuing trends towards specialist and larger scale agricultural units.
The Manx climate favours grass production and hence dairy farming is the most important sector followed by beef and sheep. A considerable range of combinable crops are possible in the more suitable arable areas. Rough grazings remain as natural or semi-natural grassland used for extensively grazed flocks and herds the progeny of which are finished both on the upland and in lowland units.
Whilst there is an increasing vegetable acreage, seasonal market demand still necessitates the importation of some green vegetables and salads. The Island has an international reputation for its low animal disease status, with no record of a major epidemic diseases having occurred, which other countries accept as commonplace. Dairy produce in the form of cheese, together with beef and lamb, are the main agricultural exports with about half of total production exported, primarily to the UK. Other commodities exported include livestock, cereals, seed potatoes, wool, horticultural produce and flowers (especially roses).
Fishing
Scallops and the related but smaller queen scallops (queenies) are economically, the most important species and the mainstay of the Manx fishing fleet. A significant quantity of locally caught crab/lobster and scallops are also exported, mainly to European destinations. The Island is noted for the Manx kipper, produced from the summer/autumn herring fishery. However, the fishing grounds round the Isle of Man also yield a variety of species which are valued by both commercial and leisure fisherman, notably cod, sole, skate and plaice.
Conservation management of stocks to safeguard the future viability of fishing opportunities is a priority of the Department and over-fishing of some species has resulted in the introduction of closed season restrictions, catch controls and minimum size restrictions on scallops, herring and whitefish species. Inland, the Department maintains a freshwater fish hatchery and produces both brown and rainbow trout to stock the Island's rivers and reservoirs. The future of the unique Manx Salmon strain is also safeguarded, not only by collecting eggs from the spawning stock and nurturing them prior to release, but by mounting patrols to combat poaching.
Forestry
There is established forestry estate of some 6,800 acres and in 1986 a programme to increase the acreage significantly was initiated, which has accounted for 1,800 acres of this total. Commercial forestry is directed towards softwood production, which is processed at the St Johns sawmill, where market demand is very strong for fencing and other sawn timber.
The Manx National Glens and other amenity areas, such as the Tynwald National Park, are maintained as public facilities by the Department, which also recognises the landscape and public recreation value of many of its plantations. The Department encourages other landowners to plant trees by means of its Amenity Tree Planting and Small Woods Scheme whereby trees are planted under subsidised terms at sites of public amenity value.
Many of the Island's hills and uplands are owned by the Department - some 18,000 acres. These are let for sheep grazing and game shooting but they are open to public rambling.