Tynwald will be asked to support measures that will enable local growers to export seed, providing a further boost to the Island’s economy.
 
There is no provision in Manx law for seed exports and, until recently, there was no real export market for local seed.
 
Local growers have now been approached by a company that wishes to export seed to the UK, Europe and beyond.
 
Growers approached the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture seeking a law change to enable such exports to go ahead.
 
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, will this month ask Tynwald to approve a motion extending relevant parts of UK law to the Island.
 
‘This route will enable growers to take advantage of the demand for local seed quickly, whereas a change in Manx law would take longer,’ the Minister said.
 
Export of seed would form another strand of DEFA’s strategy to grow the food and drink industry by ?50 million over the next decade, the Minister added.
 
‘Our initial calculations show the trade of seed could yield ?60,000 a year initially and as much as ?300,000 once established, providing a welcome new income stream for the industry.’
 
David Brew, Vice President of the Manx National Farmers’ Union and a cereal grower, said: ‘Growers welcome the opportunity this motion could deliver; of being able to find and supply new niche markets – specifically seed production.
 
‘The production of seed for export often requires specialist growing skills which our growers have, as demonstrated by for example the production of high quality milling wheat. The location of the Island and the non-intensive cultivation practices also lend themselves to potentially successful seed production due to the low disease incidence.’