Manx-reared food tracing tool could boost export

Sat, 24 Jan 2015

Manx produce could be given an export boost as it's proved Manx-reared food can be traced back to the Isle of Man.

That's according to Dr Peter McEvoy, who explains that the University of East Anglia has demonstrated the ability to accurately determine if beef has originated here.

As part of the 'Food Matters' strategy, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is looking to implement the tool - following further testing - to include other food, like cheese and lamb.

European food-labelling standards require packaging to list the contents' birthplace - a measure that has been extended to include the Island.

With 70 per cent of meat consumed by residents imported from elsewhere, Dr McEvoy says it'll reassure customers who pay the price of buying local: