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| Government gave MGP the Green Light
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The Manx Grand Prix organisers decided to call off the
event even though the government had effectively given
the road racing extravaganza the 'amber light'.
It's understood the Council of Ministers backed plans
for the race meeting to go ahead on the scheduled
dates, August 18-31, providing certain precautions
were in place and farmers were consulted.
However, despite the support of ministers the Manx
Motorcycle Club scrapped the event following a
recommendation by the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry and consultations with
interested parties including the farming community.
The news, will be another huge blow to tourism in the
Island following the cancellation of the TT races
earlier in the year.
A tourism related recovery package which aims to help
businesses which face severe and lasting damage as a
result of the TT calcellation or foot-and-mouth
restrictions will be extended to cater for those
suffering from the scrapping of the MGP.
Chief Minister Donald Gelling said: 'We appreciate
that this was a difficult decision for the race
organisers, taken after full consultation and advice.
I'm sure we all look forward to next year being a full
season of racing in the Isle of Man and that this
dreadful disease will have been eradicated in the UK.'
He added: 'The government understands that the
cancellation of such events will create problems for
the tourist industry and related activities and a
further support scheme is to be presented to the July
sitting of Tynwald next week.
'This is part of a package of measures designed to
sustain the industry through this very difficult
year.'
Tourism bosses had put forward plans for the MGP which
would have aimed to reduce the risk of foot-and-mouth.
But DAFF advised that it should be cancelled
altogether, which illustrates that the chasm between
the tourist industry and the agriculture industry is
wider than ever.
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