The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced an internal restructuring to take place to coincide with the move to its new Headquarters in St John’s.
The Department's six division are to be streamlined into four: Agriculture; Fisheries, Forestry, Amenities & Lands; and Corporate Services.
In the new structure, the Agriculture Services Division is to combine with Animal Health to create a broader Agriculture Division which will help ensure a thriving farming sector and a sustainable, healthy and secure food supply for the Island.
The second change is being made in order to drive forward the Department’s commitment to biodiversity conservation for the Isle of Man.
To achieve this, staff from the Wildlife and Conservation Division are to be placed in the division relative to their specialist skills.
Two marine specialists will move to the Fisheries Division resulting in an expansion of the Division’s environmental responsibilities with more clearly defined duties, including protection of the marine environment.
The Zoologist and officer responsible for designations will move to Forestry, Amenity & Lands Division and the Botanist to the Agriculture Division.
Responsibility for delivering effective biodiversity protection and promotion will move to the Corporate Services Division and will be led by the Chief Wildlife and Conservation Officer who will take up a Biodiversity Advocacy role.
In addition, the Minister will chair a newly established Biodiversity Working Group which will monitor all issues regarding biodiversity progress and ensure that biodiversity policy objectives are being achieved.
Minister for the Department, Phil Gawne MHK (pictured), says, "These are responsible developments and mark a significant and important step in our direction of travel towards creating a truly balanced organisation delivering more efficient services to the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, whilst ensuring that we meet our commitment to effective biodiversity conservation."
The Minister went on to say, "I want to also take this opportunity to welcome Juan Turner, MLC as a new member to the Department.
"Juan will be taking responsibility for Fisheries matters within the Department and I am sure that he will do a sterling job."
Chief Executive, Colin Kniveton said, "the move to our new headquarters, together with the revised Departmental structure, gives us a greater opportunity to focus on the aims and objectives of the Department going forward.
"Bringing these functions together will enable the Department to deliver more effective and efficient services for the benefit of our stakeholders throughout the Isle of Man."
