Allister makes AFBI visit
10 July 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has met with senior management and staff of the Agri Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI), to learn more of the Institute’s varied research programme.
The MEP said,
“I accepted an invitation to visit AFBI’s Hillsborough site recently, where I was shown a number of innovative research programmes being worked on connected with the local agri-food industry. I was shown round the new Renewable Energy Centre, where research is being carried out on biomass energy generation by anaerobic digestion of cattle slurry, and by short rotation coppice.”
“Anaerobic digestion could provide an additional income stream for farmers, as in other EU Member States. However, Government locally must set about taking practical steps to removing the economic barriers to the uptake of this technology on farm.”
“General discussions were had on AFBI’s work in promoting sustainable livestock systems. Much of the Institute’s work centres on research which can make livestock systems more efficient, and therefore increasing profitability of farm enterprises.”
“The benefits of evidence-based research in addressing the needs of the agri-food sector are clear to be seen. It is a travesty that a DARD Minister’s incompetence in the current Crossnacreevy debacle is putting some of this work in jeopardy.”
ENDS
