AFBI 2020 Strategy

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has carried out a review of its scientific functions, capabilities and platforms as part of a strategy to 2020 and beyond to allow AFBI to achieve its vision of providing world class science to all its government and private sector customers. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill MLA, has responded to AFBI’s strategic proposals to reposition itself to meet the priority needs of government and industry, while addressing the current and anticipated future pressures on public finances.

The most significant changes relate to AFBI’s estate and DARD’s funding for certain AFBI science programmes. The Minister has agreed an AFBI proposal to close the Crossnacreevy site and withdraw from arable research and plant variety Recommended List trials. The Official Plant Testing Station, UK National List and Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability testing functions will be transferred from Crossnacreevy to another AFBI site. Given various contractual commitments, closure of AFBI Crossnacreevy will take four years to complete.

DARD will no longer contribute to AFBI’s commercial potato breeding research programme after October 2016 and will immediately commence a review of the Institute’s strategic potato breeding programme. Following AFBI’s strategic review, DARD funding will also be withdrawn from renewable energy and biomass and poultry production research, while the Minister has requested AFBI to explore alternative funding streams and operational models for its mushroom and top fruit research and to table further proposals for consideration in the autumn.

AFBI’s Omagh veterinary laboratory will continue to provide its existing range and geographic coverage of animal disease diagnostic services although some ancillary services will be centralised at AFBI’s Stormont laboratory as part of a number of internal efficiency measures.

AFBI is working closely with DARD on plans to develop the Institute’s estate so that AFBI has modern, efficient laboratory and other research facilities. The DARD Minister has indicated her desire to secure the large scale capital funding required for these ambitious development proposals.

Stakeholders are invited to hear more about AFBI’s strategy at its Open Day to be held at AFBI Hillsborough, Co. Down on Thursday 3 September 2015.  

Notes to editors: 

Please direct all media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.

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