Recently the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) held a seminar to discuss the future research needs of industries reliant on wood based plants in Northern Ireland.
![](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline/public/images/%5Bcurrent-domain%3Amachine-name%5D/news/19.01.289-1%201200.jpg?itok=Xar2Wfv2×tamp=1547646688)
Woody plants are integral parts of the Northern Irish economy and environment. They provide direct value through the sale of timber and fruit, and indirect value through providing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, flood alleviation and recreational services.
The AFBI led seminar featured presentations from experts representing AFBI, Queens University Belfast and Ulster University in Northern Ireland as well as Teagasc and UCD in Ireland. The seminar centred around the three research themes of forestry, ecosystems services and food production; with the presentations highlighting the current and future challenges and opportunities for woody plant production in Northern Ireland.
![The organisers and chairs: Mr Hamilton Loney (NI Fruit Growers Assoc), Dr Elizabeth Magowan (Head of SAFSD, AFBI), Dr Richard O’Hanlon (AFBI), Mr Peter Archdale, Mr Stuart Morwood (Forest Service, DAERA) The organisers and chairs: Mr Hamilton Loney (NI Fruit Growers Assoc), Dr Elizabeth Magowan (Head of SAFSD, AFBI), Dr Richard O’Hanlon (AFBI), Mr Peter Archdale, Mr Stuart Morwood (Forest Service, DAERA)](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/19.01.289-3%201200_0.jpg?itok=l37j9e4R)
The event attracted over 40 stakeholders from 18 different organisations representing farming, the environment, forestry, science organisations and policy makers.
![Dr Richard O’Hanlon (AFBI) welcoming attendees to the recent Woody Plant Seminar Dr Richard O’Hanlon (AFBI) welcoming attendees to the recent Woody Plant Seminar](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/19.01.289-2%201200.jpg?itok=rIQRtBzx)
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