Important Chinese delegation visits AFBI

Date published: 28 January 2014

Areas of Expertise: Economics

Following an invitation from DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill, a delegation from the Economic Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Shanghai recently visited AFBI. The CPPCC is the equivalent of an “upper house” in the Chinese system of government.

Prof. Wang, Liang; Prof Seamus Kennedy, AFBI CEO

Mr Steven Millar, DARD; Prof. Zhang; Ms An, Tong Tong; Mr Peter Price, DARD; Prof Seamus Kennedy, AFBI CEO; Prof. Wang, Liang; Ms Zhou, Yu; Sinclair; Ms Shi, Peiyin; Mr Martin McKendry CAFRE

The delegation was interested in hearing about Northern Ireland’s experience of using scientific testing and Research and Development to ensure food safety and to promote value added in the agri-food supply chain. Professor Seamus Kennedy, AFBI CEO, and Dr Sinclair Mayne, Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, welcomed the CPPCC members to AFBI and gave an overview of the wide range of scientific testing and R & D programmes undertaken within the institute. The importance to emergency response and technology transfer of innovative R&D was discussed.

Ms An, Tong Tong; Prof. Zhang, Jianhua; Prof Seamus Kennedy, AFBI CEO; Prof. Wang, Liang; Mrs Zhou, Yu; Dr Sinclair Mayne, AFBI; Ms Shi, Peiyin

DARD officials presented information on the department’s animal traceability system, technology transfer, and education and training in agri-food.

Following their visit to AFBI, Dale Farm hosted the CPPCC delegation at its new whey protein nanofiltration plant and cheddar cheese facility at Dunmanbridge, Cookstown. The delegation also visited Greenmount to hear more about CAFRE’s education and technology transfer work.

Notes to editors:

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland … serving the world”.All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office