Latest news with #Defa
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Isle of Man's pregnant agency workers could get new rights
Pregnant agency workers on the Isle of Man who are not currently covered by health and safety legislation could see their rights improved. The government is consulting on plans to update regulations to cover new and expectant parents. The current legislation means that agency workers are not covered by the specific risk assessments that firms must do for women who are pregnant or have recently given consultation points out that "the UK version has included these agency workers for many years". 'Fair and just' The survey, run by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa), states that the department "feels that it is fair and just to extend these regulations to provide equal levels of protection for all workers".It outlines seven principles to "minimise workplace risks", which include "combating risks at their source" and "adapting work to the individual". It also includes the development of prevention policies and consultation also includes proposals to allow construction site operators to conduct fire safety risk assessments on urged "all stakeholders to participate in this consultation process". Feedback would "play a crucial role in shaping the future of workplace health and safety", it added. 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
10-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
People urged to obey signage during South Barrule Plantation work
People have been warned to obey warning signs in South Barrule Plantation as maintenance works take place over the of trees came down on the woodland site in the Isle of Man when the island was hit by two large storms in December and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) said the works on Saturday and Sunday would would support preparations for timber harvesting.A Defa spokesman said people accessing the plantation should avoid machinery and active work zones "for your safety and the safety of our staff". He said sections of the plantation may be temporarily restricted during the period so those walking in the area should follow instructions given by the forestry team and the contractors on January Storm Éowyn saw storm force winds hit the island causing widespread damage to followed on from December's Storm Darragh, which had left thousands of trees in unstable positions. Replanting In the aftermath of the storms, Defa confirmed thousands of trees, including many brought down by the gales, would be removed as part of a government initiative to remove the wood from plantations and ship it April, the department confirmed Archallagan Plantation would remain shut until July while harvesting took place at that storm-damaged previously said that closure had been "necessary to ensure public safety while heavy machinery and timber haulage operations are underway".It said a mix of native broadleaf and conifer species would be planted in both plantations in future to "enhance biodiversity and deliver long-term environmental benefits". 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.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Breeder calls for public to support native sheep
A Manx Loaghtan sheep breeder has said more should to be done to protect the rare species at risk. Native to the Isle of Man, the species has been added to the urgent priority list by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). It follows a drop in numbers of the species, flocks of which can also be found in n parts of the UK and in the Channel Islands, registered with the conservation group. Ruth Meade of Red Mie Farm in the north of the island said: "They're part of our heritage and our landscape and if they go they will be gone forever." The animals previously had a brush with extinction in the 1950s when numbers had declined after the introduction of other hill breeds. While the species experienced a revival, the disbanding of one of the island's biggest farms last year has seen numbers significantly decline once more. The RBST has called for the UK's environment secretary to re-establish a ministerial native breeds roundtable, which "was designed to support strategic and co-ordinated action for native breeds". Mrs Meade has been breeding Loaghtan for 16 years with her husband and they have about 100 sheep at any one time. She said after the disbanding of a farm that bred the species last year, the island lost about 1,000 animals, representing a third of local stock. "There has been a significant drop in the numbers of Loaghtan just because of that one event," she explained. Mrs Meade said there were concerns among farmers that "there are very few young people" breeding the species. While more breeders and keepers were needed, she said the public also had an important part to play. "The public do need to support the other side of it by purchasing the products - the meat and the wool - which will enable breeders to keep them," she said. She added there should be "a government interest in preserving the breed because it is heritage, and the last native farm animal to the island". The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) said it helped to re-establish the Manx Loaghtan Breeders Association in 2024 and "continues to support its work". It said a Defa representative would be attending the group's next meeting, which takes place this month, to "understand what else can be done to support the breed". Breeders also had access to funding through the department's agricultural support schemes, which rewarded conservation and sustainable food production, "both of which the breed contributes to", the department added. 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. Manx flock grows to more than 450 Manx sheep to get 'greater recognition' Rare Breeds Survival Trust - Watchlist Department of Environment, Food and Agricultural
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Breeder calls for public to support native sheep
A Manx Loaghtan sheep breeder has said more should to be done to protect the rare species at risk. Native to the Isle of Man, the species has been added to the urgent priority list by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). It follows a drop in numbers of the species, flocks of which can also be found in n parts of the UK and in the Channel Islands, registered with the conservation group. Ruth Meade of Red Mie Farm in the north of the island said: "They're part of our heritage and our landscape and if they go they will be gone forever." The animals previously had a brush with extinction in the 1950s when numbers had declined after the introduction of other hill breeds. While the species experienced a revival, the disbanding of one of the island's biggest farms last year has seen numbers significantly decline once more. The RBST has called for the UK's environment secretary to re-establish a ministerial native breeds roundtable, which "was designed to support strategic and co-ordinated action for native breeds". Mrs Meade has been breeding Loaghtan for 16 years with her husband and they have about 100 sheep at any one time. She said after the disbanding of a farm that bred the species last year, the island lost about 1,000 animals, representing a third of local stock. "There has been a significant drop in the numbers of Loaghtan just because of that one event," she explained. Mrs Meade said there were concerns among farmers that "there are very few young people" breeding the species. While more breeders and keepers were needed, she said the public also had an important part to play. "The public do need to support the other side of it by purchasing the products - the meat and the wool - which will enable breeders to keep them," she said. She added there should be "a government interest in preserving the breed because it is heritage, and the last native farm animal to the island". The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) said it helped to re-establish the Manx Loaghtan Breeders Association in 2024 and "continues to support its work". It said a Defa representative would be attending the group's next meeting, which takes place this month, to "understand what else can be done to support the breed". Breeders also had access to funding through the department's agricultural support schemes, which rewarded conservation and sustainable food production, "both of which the breed contributes to", the department added. 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. Manx flock grows to more than 450 Manx sheep to get 'greater recognition' Rare Breeds Survival Trust - Watchlist Department of Environment, Food and Agricultural
