The Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) was created on 1st April 2006 as an amalgamation of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Science Service and the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI). AFBI is a DARD Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and carries out high technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.
AFBI's NDPB status enables it to be innovative and entrepreneurial in its approach to business development. AFBI is forging new partnerships with other scientific institutes and research organisations and extending the range of services it offers. This enables AFBI’s unique breadth of scientific capabilities in the areas of agriculture, animal health, food, environment and biosciences to be offered to a wider prospective national and international customer base.
AFBI is managed by an independent Board which is also responsible for monitoring its performance. The Agriculture (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 for the creation of AFBI can be viewed at the following web address:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20043327.htmThe aims of the institute are to:
- underpin DARD objectives for the agri-food sector by scientific programmes designed to improve performance in the market, to safeguard animal and plant health, to maintain and invest in the environment, and to build a successful rural economy and society;
- meet the challenges of change by providing high quality cost-effective services;
- develop the science base in Northern Ireland to contribute to local, national and international efforts;
- provide specialist expertise and facilities for both industry and public sector bodies for contracted scientific services.
