The Ulster Farmers' Union held a meeting with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in County Fermanagh. Union representatives raised issues reported by members and requested explanations from AFBI officials.

UFU President William Irvine stressed the need to maintain trust in agri-food sector organisations. He noted that Northern Ireland farmers face strict inspections and compliance rules. Irvine called for publicly funded research bodies to meet identical standards.

The union also addressed the absence of full-time farmer members on the AFBI board. UFU members stated that farmers offer essential practical knowledge to guide agricultural research discussions. They urged DAERA and AFBI to add more farmer representation for greater effectiveness.

UFU plans ongoing discussions with AFBI to keep Northern Ireland farmers' requirements at the core of research priorities.