DEFA underwrites one-off Arrow sailing to bring breeding sheep from Northern Ireland

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) underwrote a one-off Steam Packet sailing of the MV Arrow on Saturday 17 October to bring breeding sheep from Northern Ireland to the island, according to Isle of Man Today.

Manx farmers had already bought the sheep for the current breeding season. Their transport was disrupted after the Manxman needed repairs, the outlet reported. The Ben my Chree was moved to the Heysham and Liverpool routes and the Manannan took over Larne.

The Manannan can carry freight, but its greater movement at sea means it is not used for livestock, Isle of Man Today said.

DEFA said the Manx National Farmers’ Union first approached it on 10 September. The department then held talks with the Steam Packet and with UK and Northern Ireland animal health authorities, followed by further discussions with the union. It agreed on 8 October to underwrite the sailing, and the sheep were then distributed to around 14 farming businesses.

Transporters paid the normal commercial rate for the crossing, and DEFA covered the remaining net cost. The department said it preferred a direct sailing on animal welfare and biosecurity grounds, rather than a longer and more complicated route through Great Britain.

According to Isle of Man Today, industry representatives and other stakeholders were contacted before the arrangements were finalised, to find out whether other livestock keepers wanted to use the sailing.

DEFA said imports of bluetongue-susceptible livestock from Great Britain remain suspended because of the disease situation there. This year the department has allowed controlled imports from Northern Ireland, subject to animal health conditions including BTV-3 vaccination and pre-movement PCR testing.