Avian influenza poses a serious disease risk to the global poultry industry. In 2016, H5N8 re-emerged in multiple countries across Europe and Asia. The Veterinary Sciences Division (VSD) at AFBI carries out surveillance and detection of epizootic disease threats and contingency planning as part of its assigned work program for DAERA.
On 28 Feb 2017 AFBI will host a seminar on behalf of CIEL (UK's Centre of Excellence in Livestock) of which AFBI is a member. The seminar will focus on research in the area of Feed & Forage Efficiency.
A group of AFBI senior scientists were guests of Dr John Gilliland at the Devenish Nutrition Research and Development Farm, Dowth Hall, Dowth, Co Offaly on Wednesday 25 January. Staff heard of the fascinating history of the site over six thousand years, and how the estate has been shaped by human intervention over the millennia.
The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) held its annual meeting at AFBI Veterinary Laboratory at Omagh recently. The laboratory has been hosting this meeting since 1975 and the event is a key date in the veterinary calendar.
AFBI highlights arable research programmes at Conference
Arable research programmes being conducted at AFBI were presented as posters at the recent 5th Annual Arable Conference at CAFRE Greenmount in January. The Conference ‘Planning for Change’ focussed on helping local growers understand and better manage the opportunities and challenges that a post-Brexit landscape will give to arable farming in Northern Ireland.
AFBI scientist accompanies NI Minister to discuss Manx Fisheries collaboration
Pieter-Jan Schön, Head of the Fisheries and Aquatics Ecosystems Branch at AFBI, accompanied the DAERA Minister to the Isle of Man recently to meet her counterpart, Geoffrey Boot, to discuss areas for future collaboration and to raise important issues relating to Northern Ireland fishermen.
Samopomich Union Party of Ukraine view research at AFBI Hillsborough
A delegation from the Samopomich Union Party of Ukraine recently visited AFBI’s research farm at Hillsborough. The visit to Northern Ireland was hosted though the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. This is a non-departmental public body which operates closely with, but is independent of, the UK Government.
The pig research team at AFBI Hillsborough recently hosted a seminar for local industry stakeholders who have provided significant financial support to the diverse programme of work undertaken by AFBI. Whilst DAERA is a core funder of the work, all research projects are co-funded by industry organisations.
AFBI recently convened a European Workshop in Milan to discuss some of the key challenges facing the beef industry, with more than 80 people from the beef industry and research communities across Europe attending. The meeting was organised by AFBI with the University of Milan, funded by the UK Science and Innovation Network.
The North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) past-president, Dr David Bryson, and recently-retired AFBI CEO, Professor Seamus Kennedy, were awarded Honorary Membership of NIVA at a recent meeting. Dr Bryson and Professor Kennedy both served as Director of Veterinary Sciences Division of AFBI, with Professor Kennedy then going on to become Chief Executive Officer. Dr Bryson retired in 2012 and Professor Kennedy in 2016.
EAFP 2017 - 18th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish
The 18th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish will be held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast from the 4–8 September 2017. The conference will include a full scientific programme including keynotes, oral presentations, poster sessions and workshops as well as a histopathology workshop that will take place on Sunday 3 September.
I am a Principal Agricultural Economist in the Agricultural & Food Economics Branch based at AFBI Headquarters in Newforge Lane, Belfast. I manage the Systems Modelling Section. This section involves working on developing policy analytical tools to link agricultural sectors with the wider economy and environment, between rural and urban areas.
AFBI have been in attendance at this year's NI Science Festival featuring in no fewer than five events! This included attendance at four roadshows in Dungannon, Enniskillen, Newry and Coleraine and the SOLD OUT AFBI Hillsborough Open Day being held on Saturday 25 February. At the Open Day the public will be able to see the work of AFBI agricultural scientists at first hand on the working research farm at Hillsborough. A full report and pictures from the events will be available in the March issue of News and Views.
