Northern Ireland Minister: Agri-Food Policy Needs Sound Evidence
Northern Ireland's agriculture minister Andrew Muir stressed the importance of reliable evidence for sector policy at the launch of an independent review of AFBI's work. The review also pointed to the need for longer-term funding for the institute's research.
Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, said that tackling the challenges facing the agri-food sector requires a solid evidence base. He made the remarks at the launch of an independent peer review of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the Northern Ireland scientific body that carries out research and statutory testing in agriculture, food and the environment.
What the review found
The review concluded that the agri-food sector places significant trust in AFBI's work. The minister noted that the report gives independent assurance on the quality, credibility and strategic relevance of the institute's research.
Reviewers also highlighted the value of data sets built up over many years through statutory testing carried out for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and other government agencies. They strongly recommended making this information the focal point of future research, for example on the continuing impact of bovine tuberculosis in farming. That would require more cross-disciplinary planning of projects and a larger scientific workforce. A stronger pipeline of PhD students was named as another priority.
The funding question
Around 75% of AFBI's funding comes from DAERA. Prof. Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI's director of sustainable agri-food sciences, said that agreeing one-year budgets does not reflect the long-term nature of the research. Talks with DAERA are under way on longer-term funding across AFBI's whole remit.
Muir listed challenges where the institute's work is important: bovine tuberculosis, cutting emissions from farming, issues around Lough Neagh, and improving soil and water quality. He confirmed that DAERA is committed to supporting AFBI's core strengths, including a new animal sciences building, a new ruminant emissions research facility and the procurement of a new research vessel.
