Latest news with #ManxNationalFarmers'Union
BBC News
02-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Signage reminds walkers to respect the Manx countryside
People have been reminded to act responsibly while enjoying the countryside on the Isle of Man as lambing season Manx National Farmers' Union has created signs to highlight the Countryside Code, which includes advice to leave gates as you find them and keep dogs on secretary Sarah Comish said the rules existed to "protect livestock and farmland" and the signage aimed to provide a greater understanding of the guidance would be an "immense help to people who are farming and taking care of the lambs", she said. The posters remind residents and visitors to stick to established footpaths, to take any litter home, not to feed livestock and to give them also encourage those who see an animal in distress to contact the farmer or landowner, rather than try to step in to help. 'Protect the natural order' The union has urged those who find lambs on their own not to remove them, as they often shelter or rest while their is grazing nearby and therefore "had not been abandoned".Ms Comish said it was "really important to protect the natural order" as separating a lamb from its mother broke the bond between the said the "vast majority" of people who went out in the Manx countryside and used the footpaths "don't go out with the intention to cause harm".It was hoped the signage would help to develop "respect for people who have a livelihood on the land and for the animals that are living out there". Members of the farming community have been encouraged to contact the union for a free sign to display on their gates, to promote the details of the code. 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
14-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mental health group set up to support Isle of Man farmers
A newly launched mental health support group on the Isle of Man is set to be run by "farmers who understand farmers" and the challenges they face, a founder has by the Manx National Farmers' Union, the Greener Grass group said those in the industry were facing loneliness, increasing costs and more Morrey said the group would offer anyone who was struggling a confidential conversation with mental health first aiders who have a background in the Comish from the union said the "collective pressures" were having a negative impact on the industry and "we want to contribute to better overall wellbeing". "We don't want people to find themselves in a crisis, we want to offer support before they get to that point, she group has been launched to coincide with the Yellow Wellies charity's annual Mind Your Head campaign, which encourages more open conversations about mental health in the sector. Six members of the union from across the island received mental health first aid training with the Manx charity Isle Comish said farmers worked "long hours, often on their own" and were facing "increasing financial pressures and have more paperwork than ever to do"."Although a lot of it still remains hidden and isn't talked about, there is absolutely a need for extra support," she the group had been set up by the union, it was "separate" and "everything discussed is confidential", she added. Mr Morrey said "even burley farmers who you think can take on the world struggle" had themselves been "struggling quietly".Those who had received the training had "weathered the storms and we have seen the challenges first hand", he said."We can understand the stresses and try to point you in the right direction for help," he 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.
