The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has received a number of formal bids from would be operators of the Island’s meat plant.

The Department invited tenders from operators wishing to run the plant, at Tromode.

The plant is currently run by Isle of Man Meats, a cooperative of farmers, and requires an annual Government subvention. In 2016 this rose to over ?1.3 million.

It’s hoped that a private operator would make the plant more efficient and market focused, while saving public money and providing an essential service to the Island.

The deadline for the receipt of tenders passed on Friday 26th August.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said the formal bids would now be evaluated against the Department’s requirements, which would involve careful review of the details and interviews with the tenderers.

He said it would be inappropriate to comment further while that process is ongoing.

It is hoped to appoint a new operator by the end of this year.

In the interim, the Department continues to financially support the current operation of the plant.