Changing funding streams at AFBI

Cuts in DAERA funding means that AFBI is increasingly looking at non-Government income to fund its work, AFBI chief executive Dr Sinclair Mayne said at last week’s stakeholder meeting held at AFBI Hillsborough.

Mayne highlighted that DAERA funding has reduced from a peak of £43m in 2008 to £32m this year, while income from vaccine royalties and commercial contracts has increased from £6m in 2006/07 to £23m in 2017/18.

“Non-Government funding now represents 40% of our income. DAERA remains an important part of our funding but we are aware of the budgetary pressure Government departments are under,” he said.

Seven projects

Mayne maintained that 2016/17 had been one of the institute’s most successful years in bringing in new funding with seven projects worth £12.7m over five years secured under the EU’s Interreg programme.

He added that AFBI has also recently secured a five-year research contract with a “major UK retailer”.

Manufacturers unable to produce cattle tags this weekend

Cattle tag manufacturers will not be able to seek authorisation from DAERA to produce new and replacement tags from midday on Saturday 10 June to 9am on Monday 12 June. The temporary suspension is planned to facilitate the first phase of the new Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) database.

The NIFAIS system will replace the existing Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS) system on a phased basis.

From 12 June, new and replacement tags for manufacture will be authorised through the new NIFAIS system. NIFAIS is expected to fully replace APHIS in 2019.

Balmoral sheep champion – correction

Our coverage of results from the Balmoral Show in the edition dated 20 May 2017 (page 47 of pedigree), incorrectly stated that the supreme interbreed champion sheep from the Benrafton flock of Alfred and Norman Robinson had been purchased in Stirling in 2016.

The Robinsons have clarified that their prizewinning shearling ewe is actually home-bred, from the sire, Cairness Ignition and out of a dam sired by Cairness Diamond Geezer.

UFU appointments

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has recruited two additional senior management staff. John Weir from Ballyblack, Co Down, has been appointed internal services manager. He previously worked at business support company Mount Charles and has had several roles in the food industry.

James McCluggage from Gleno, Co Antrim, is the UFU’s new policy manager and previously worked as the UFU/NFU group manager in Larne.

Wool collection

The Ulster Wool Group has opened new wool collection centres in Cushendall and Armoy for the 2017 season.

The new centres are located on the premises of James Delargy of Glen Farm Supplies at 35 Glenville Road, Cushendall, and 15A Coolkeeran Road, Armoy, and open from June to August.