Assembly Committee commends AFBI on pioneering research initiatives

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

Following a briefing from AFBI representatives on ‘Delivering a net zero nature positive future, supporting sustainable agriculture and thriving rural communities’, Members were provided with a tour of the farm estate and facilities.    

Speaking after Thursday’s 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.”

ENDS  

For media enquiries please contact:

Sinead Murphy, Communications Officer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 0789 9864 368 Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk  

Notes to Editor:

• Thursday’s meeting was held in the Morrison Room, AFBI, Large Park, Hillsborough.
• At the meeting, the Committee also continued its deliberations on the Agriculture Bill and received a briefing from the Assembly’s Research and Information Service on Community Assets Transfer.
• Further information can be found on the Committee agenda here:
• An audio recording of Thursday’s meeting is available here:

Further information about the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, its Membership and its work can be found here: