Video statement on AFBI Hillsborough
Date published:
Video statement from Prof Elizabeth Magowan of AFBI
AFBI’s research farm platform at Hillsborough, conducts research for a range of stakeholders, to support the resilience and enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of farming systems in Northern Ireland.
AFBI takes all concerns and allegations extremely seriously. As such AFBI have undertaken an extensive and thorough investigation, under AFBI’s raising concern policy, into concerns relating to animal welfare and environmental controls on the AFBI Hillsborough site.
This investigation involved both an internal review by senior experienced staff as well as external inspections by DAERA, NIEA and Red Tractor.
The material presented to AFBI, through the concern raised, represented a series of photographs and videos from incidents over a period of approximately 3 years. AFBI was aware of many of these incidents when they originally occurred and was content that they had previously been dealt with appropriately. However, they were further investigated in response to the concerns raised.
I’m pleased to report that the outcomes of the investigations, inspections and audits were positive. All actions that were required have been undertaken to the satisfaction of inspectors
AFBI works to upholding high standards of animal welfare and environmental controls and holds all applicable accreditations. The audits and inspections recently completed have provided substantial levels of assurance that the AFBI Hillsborough farm is complying with good farming practices and expected standards of animal health and welfare.
As such, AFBI strenuously refutes any suggestions of poor farming practices relating to animal health and welfare at our Hillsborough farm, particularly those made recently on social media. This misinformation is unhelpful and unjustified.
AFBI is happy to host any groups or individuals who wish to visit the site and/or discuss our work and site practices.