Latest news with #ClareBarber
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
No rise in bluetongue risk due to Isle of Man TT, minister says
Increased visitors over the TT period "do not fundamentally increase the risk" of bluetongue reaching the island, the Environment, Food and Agriculture minister has Sunday restrictions were placed on the movement of some livestock in Lancashire, including cattle and sheep, following the discovery of the virus in the county.A Manx ban on livestock imports has been in place since November 2023 to prevent bluetongue, which can cause infertility and breeding problems in animals and can be Barber said while cases of the virus in the Lancashire area were "concerning", it was spread by midges and not carried or transmitted by people or equipment. While additional visitors would not increase the risk of the spread of bluetongue, the main "potential route" would be from imported susceptible animals or midges blown across from England, she Gary Clueitt questioned whether restrictions had been placed products used in the artificial insemination of livestock in line those implemented in the UK, Jason Moorhouse MHK raised concerns about infected midges or larva being brought to the island on visitors' camping equipment. Awareness Barber said there were still permissions for reproduction products to be imported but it was "the only way" the island could diversify its livestock government had put a "huge amount of precautions in", but there came a point "where we have to acknowledge that we are doing all we can short of closing our borders permanently", she told Tynwald members foot and mouth disease cases in Europe had also prompted restrictions on the importation of meat and dairy products for personal use from anywhere other than Great had been placed in the island's airport along with the Heysham and Liverpool ferry ports warning travellers of existing restrictions ahead of the TT races. Similar information would also be placed in Dublin and Belfast ports, she on the risks of leaving food where livestock could eat it, and more widely on foot and mouth disease, has been shared with local commissioners, TT campsites, community organisers and farmers. The TT was cancelled in 2001 following outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the Barber she said her department currently considered the risk of the disease reaching the island to be "low" as there was no direct travel from Eastern Europe, which was where the latest cases had been identified. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Isle of Man pet owners urged to be aware of travel checks
People planning to take their pets to Northern Ireland are being urged to be aware of new rules set to come into 4 June, routine checks on animal health certificates (AHC), which are issued by vets for each journey, will be carried out at ports in Belfast and Isle of Man government said the changes were part of the implementation of the Brexit deal, which sets trading rules between the UK and the for Environment, Food and Agriculture Clare Barber urged pet owners to "plan ahead to avoid disruption or distress" as the shift represented a "significant change for pet owners" . "Please speak to your vet in good time, and check official guidance before you travel," she requirement for the certificate remains unchanged, but the inspections are set to be introduced to align the island with other Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which operates ferry services to Belfast, is working with the Manx government to make people aware of the owners travelling by ferry must report for the checks at a facility in Belfast upon travel from the Isle of Man to Northern Ireland pets must be microchipped and be vaccinated against are required to enter via a recognised point of entry, and dogs must be treated for pet owners must also be able to provide a valid AHC or EU Pet commercial flights from the Isle of Man do not currently allow pets, but those travelling by private aircraft must follow the same rules. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Snae Fell Mine public access restricted after huge wall collapse
Public access to the site of a former mine on the Isle of Man has been restricted after part of a huge wall collapsed.A retaining wall at the former site of the Snae Fell Mine, which dates back to 1856, collapsed last month. A subsequent inspection identified "significant risks" across several of the site's other historic structures. That inspection, carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa), found collapsed masonry, unstable walls and eroded Clare Barber said the collapse had "compromised the stability of key areas" and posed a "significant risk to public safety". 'Future funding' The site therefore "must be placed off limits", she said, with all access and diversions will be installed ahead of June's TT festival to prevent spectators from entering hazardous areas, added department said future access would depend on the availability of funding for remediation if funds cannot be secured, the site may remain "permanently closed off".The mine, located on the slopes of Snae Fell Mountain near Laxey, was established to extract lead and other minerals as part of the Great Laxey Mining Company's mine workings reached depths of 1,100ft (3350m) before closing in the early 20th mine was briefly reactivated in the 1950s for spoil reprocessing, after which it was permanently said it would publish a report to further explain the reasons for the closure and the risks posed by the site. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
23-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Plans for new Isle of Man marine nature reserve revealed
Plans to establish a new marine nature reserve off the east coast of the Isle of Man in a bid to protect blue carbon habitats have been initiative aims to protect newly discovered eelgrass beds in Bulgham Bay near Laxey and saltmarsh habitat at Cornaa. Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) has asked for views on three proposed options for reserve site, with differing levels of impact on boats and the Manx Wildlife Act, the department has an obligation to protect eelgrass through creation of marine nature reserves and conservation zones. That enables further protections through restrictions on anchoring and certain fishing practices in the are currently six known eelgrass beds in Manx coastal waters located at Carrick Bay, Derbyhaven, Fort Island, Laxey Bay, Ramsey Bay and Bulgham Bay. 'Combat climate change' The Bulgham Bay eelgrass meadow is the only site that is not designated under an existing protective measures. Options being considered by Defa are establishing a marine nature reserve around that bed, or extending protection from Skeirrig Rock to Cornaa Headland to include a saltmarsh there. The final option would be to expand the reserve to Maughold Head, to cover additional marine habitats and grey seal haul-out have also been asked for on plans to update existing eelgrass conservation zones to reflect surveys showing their expansion beyond the current boundaries. Defa Minister Clare Barber said: "By safeguarding these ecosystems, we not only help combat climate change but also create an environment we can be proud of."The consultation is available online until 25 April. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
