The Island has been granted the status of approved third country to continue exporting live animals and products of animal origin, providing certainty for a market worth more than £20 million per year.
Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture said:
‘The agri-foods sector is incredibly important to our diverse economy. The confirmation that the Island has been listed as an approved third country on a product specific basis, for meat, fish and dairy, is testament to extensive collaboration between the Isle of Man Government and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
‘This is significant and places the Island in a strong position, should the UK leave the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019.’
As part of the preparations for trading after exit day the Island sought, through the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to ensure it had third country listing for the products exported from the Island.
A meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed took place on 11 October at which the Island's third country listing status was considered, along with the status for the UK and the other Crown Dependencies.
