AFBI agrees to beef licence changes

AFBI Director Dr Elizabeth Magowan said: “It is very important to note we still have our licence to conduct research on beef production related challenges.

“The beef facilities at AFBI Hillsborough have been removed from the licence which governs scientific procedures.”

She added:“This decision in no way diminishes the effectiveness of AFBI to carry out research across the entire spectrum of agri related activities carried out at Hillsborough. We have a comprehensive beef research programme in train. This work will be continued through the use of other AFBI sites, including Loughgall, and additional CAFRE facilities.

“Licensing is a very complex matter, from a scientific research perspective. It reflects on the facilities and the nature of the work conducted in them, amongst many other considerations, including the calibre of the scientists carrying out the work. In addition, a bespoke licence is required for each individual project undertaken.”

Despite these caveats, AFBI agrees that these developments are disappointing for the organisation and Northern Ireland’s red meat industry as a whole.

Dr Magowan continued: “The beef research buildings at Hillsborough had been falling into disrepair for some time. This is an issue that AFBI had been discussing with DAERA and other stakeholder bodies on an ongoing basis. AFBI came to the decision to remove the beef research facilities at AFBI Hillsborough from their establishment licence due to the amount of works required to meet the accommodation standards for livestock research. With approvals and plans for the major new beef development progressing it was deemed not prudent nor a good use of public money to invest heavily in such old infrastructure.”

The Hillsborough site is owned by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). According to Dr Magowan the agreement to remove the buildings from the licence was made just before the Covid-19 lockdown was introduced.

She added: “This coincided with approval being attained from the Department of Finance to take forward plans for new facilities at AFBI Hillsborough as well as CAFRE.

“The new plan centres on the development of a stronger working relationship with CAFRE. I am not in a position to predict when replacement beef research buildings will be operational at Hillsborough. Along with a number of development steps to be taken initially, Planning Permission must also be secured for the proposed development before building can get underway.”

Dr Magowan also confirmed that AFBI remains in a position to meet the beef research needs of all funding bodies, including Agrisearch.

She commented: “The future looks extremely bright. Plans are in place to better harness the resources of both AFBI and CAFRE, from a research, education and knowledge exchange perspective. This is good news for the beef industry as a whole.”

Commenting on these developments, a DAERA spokesperson said:“The Department recognises that significant investment is required in the beef facilities at AFBI Hillsborough and acknowledges that the current main beef facilities at AFBI Hillsborough are no longer appropriate for a licence to conduct scientific work.   
“Plans for new facilities are being developed based on a novel AFBI/CAFRE delivery model fully integrating research, education and knowledge and technology transfer.  The objective is to transform science and the on-farm uptake of new innovations for the beef sector, with a focus on improving productivity, environmental sustainability, resilience and supply chain integration.
“Work is already underway within AFBI and CAFRE to share cattle and facilities as part of this integrated approach and new beef research is being commissioned by DAERA.  An outline business case for the new beef facilities has been approved by the Department of Finance and work on the costings and detailed plans for the proposed new investment is progressing.
“In the meantime AFBI will use their extensive instrumented grazing platform and their facilities at AFBI Loughgall, as well as some alternative cattle housing at AFBI Hillsborough, to conduct its beef research programme.”

Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) beef and lamb chairman Sam Chesney said: “The beef research facilities at AFBI’s Hillsborough site are not suitable to be used under the research licence due to their poor and worn out conditions. AFBI are currently continuing other forms of beef research. This is a huge blow for future innovation and a major investment is needed urgently. We are urging the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots, to move quickly on this matter.

“We have been making DAERA aware for several years now, that there is limited beef research and it’s no surprise to us given the state of the facilities at the AFBI site in Hillsborough. The AFBI facilities are an embarrassment to the Northern Ireland beef industry. We do not want to see beef research done in poor buildings or poorly equipped buildings. It would be embarrassing if some of our retailers or new export customers were to come and view the current set-up. Wheel barrowing silage to research cattle is far from acceptable in the 21st century.”

He continued: “Our understanding is that the Department of Finance has agreed to the business case but we haven’t seen the timetable yet and there will be several other issues such as planning to sort out as well. We in Northern Ireland cannot be left behind, particularly when we see what beef facilities our closest neighbours in the Republic of Ireland have. One way to help our beef sector become more sustainable and profitable, is to have dedicated research facilities here in Northern Ireland to show to our consumers and our fellow beef producers.”