In a note circulated among AFBI staff on Monday, Mayne said: “I have agreed with the board chair to remain in post until a successor is appointed, which is likely to be in the summer.”

AFBI is a non-departmental public body in Northern Ireland and is responsible for research and diagnostic work in the agri food industry.

Mayne was appointed chief executive of AFBI in October 2016. He replaced Professor Elaine Watson who had held the role for four months.

Mayne has worked in research and development all his career, initially at the Grassland Research Institute in England, and then at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland in Hillsborough, which became part of AFBI in 2006.

AFBI has been subject to substantial cuts in funding from DAERA in recent years, however Mayne highlighted in December 2017 that over 40% of the organisation’s total revenue now comes from outside DAERA funding.

“Our relationships with industry, academia, government and other partners are stronger than ever and we have just mapped out our corporate plan, giving us positive direction for the next few years,” commented AFBI chairman Colm McKenna.

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Mayne confident for AFBI future

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