Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The 157th Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland’s premier agricultural event, took place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, from 13–16 May 2026. Organised by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, the four-day event welcomed tens of thousands of visitors and showcased more than 3,500 livestock entries.

On 14 May, the AERA Committee held its weekly meeting at the Show and received a briefing from the Queen’s University Belfast Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) on the potential contribution of anaerobic digestion and biomethane production to Northern Ireland’s future energy mix.

The discussion explored the opportunities that renewable energy development could bring to rural communities and the wider economy, while also highlighting a number of challenges. Members considered issues including planning constraints, the need for clearer environmental guidance for farmers, and the importance of achieving a sustainable balance between food production and renewable energy generation as Northern Ireland progresses towards its green growth ambitions.