The way in which DAFF has handled the F&M incident (it was nothing more than that) is a load of bullocks. The organisers of the Royal Show at Sulby were pressurised into cancelling, footpaths were closed and the MGP has been wrapped up in a stifling choke of bureaucracy.

Meanwhile back in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and even Surrey, life goes on as normal, free from restrictions.

Has DAFF over-reacted?

Why shouldn't all the restrictions be lifted now?

IMHO the virtual ban on spectating on the mountain section has little to do with F&M. Belatedly, someone has realised that it is very difficult if not impossible to properly police these remote spots, and that the risk assessment for permitted spectator positions is thirty years out of date. Simple answer - ban a swathe of countryside using a timely excuse.

John i agree with you a load of Bullocks , there are no restictions in place in the UK so why here .
Think we all where pleased with the council of ministers decision to run the MGP with restictions when originally granted . But a lot of time has passed since then & dont think there is any chance of F&M rearing it s ugly head .
Think it is more to do with the incident at 26th milestone , with Balla spur now prohibited & also Kirk Micheal Village car park , with a barrier ten foot from wall , both popular vantage poins , i fear this could lead to the demise of the TT & MGP .

Those of us who were at the UGP, where no F&M has been and no restrictions exist, were bemused to be questioned about whether we had sandwiches or dairy products.. why... no F&M... would it be the same if we came from the US... a bit OTT I think (as someone brought up on a croft and into whose heart terror is struck by the words foot and mouth)

A load of bullocks tried to take revenge during last night's practice. They nearly succeeded in breaking out through a fence and hedge onto the course beside the 7th milestone, before they were rounded up into a holding pen.

There is evidence of movement in the slowly stirring think tank. I quote the following from the Manx Radio Website. Now wouldn't it be sensible to drop all the regulations that are limiting the poor spectators at the MGP?

"The remaining restrictions on the use of public footpaths, closed as a precaution against foot and mouth, were lifted at 8 o' clock this morning (Fri).

Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne says the UK is lifting protection zones around the two foot and mouth sites in Surrey at 12 o' clock tomorrow lunchtime, it being 15 days since they were disinfected.

He says as there have been no further outbreaks of the disease in the meantime, the Isle of Man can now take a further step in the programme of rolling back restrictions."

What's the betting that they are lifted wef, say, 2nd September? :twisted:

Quote from the Minister of Ag. 10 minutes ago:
"Any restrictions remaining on the Mountain Course will be those put in place by the organisers of the MGP."