Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

27 March 2025 - Committee visit Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Hillsborough

On Thursday 27 March 2025 the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs took its weekly meeting to the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Large Park, Hillsborough.

During this meeting, the Committee discussed the Agriculture Bill, received a briefing from AFBI representatives on ‘Delivering a net zero nature positive future, supporting sustainable agriculture and thriving rural communities’, and received a briefing from the Assembly's Research Service on Community Assets Transfer.

Following the meeting, Members were provided with a tour of the farm estate and facilities.

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Members of the Committee pose with representatives of AFBI during a visit to AFBI, Hillsborough. Left to right: Patsy McGlone MLA, representative of AFBI, representative of AFBI, representative of AFBI, Declan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson), representative of AFBI, Robbie Butler MLA (Chairperson), Aoife Finnegan MLA, William Buchanan MLA, a representative of AFBI, John Blair MLA and Tom Buchanan MLA.

Speaking after the meeting, the Committee Chairperson Robbie Butler MLA said: "As a Committee, it's vitally important to us that we take every opportunity to hold our weekly meetings outside Parliament Buildings and to meet with our key stakeholders. Today's visit to AFBI was an important opportunity for us to learn more about how its pioneering research initiatives are helping to reshape and sustain our local agricultural landscape, as well as building resilience within rural communities.

"The innovative research approaches and science-based solutions undertaken at the AFBI Hillsborough site, particularly in terms of addressing the challenges of climate change and supporting sustainable food production are and will continue to be crucial towards protecting and future-proofing our local agricultural industries."

The Chairperson continued: "Today's site visit was both interesting and informative for Members. We were impressed with the work they are currently undertaking in relation to improving the water quality in Lough Neagh, as well as the use and integration of new technologies to streamline and modernise our local agricultural and food-production systems."

The Chairperson concluded: "We commend AFBI on its research and work on developing efficient and sustainable methods of farming practices and for their continued support of and dialogue with farmers and rural communities.

"Finding the balance towards securing a nature-positive future and ensuring farming remains a profitable and worthwhile enterprise will require ongoing discussion and collaboration. As a Committee, we look forward to continuing to work alongside AFBI and other key stakeholders, and remaining a central part of those conversations."