NI beef facilities 'no longer fit for purpose' and need urgent investment, union urges

UFU beef and lamb chairman, Crosby Cleland said Northern Ireland must invest in the AFBI and CAFRE 'beef facilities' to drive the sector forward
UFU beef and lamb chairman, Crosby Cleland said Northern Ireland must invest in the AFBI and CAFRE 'beef facilities' to drive the sector forward

Beef facilities in Northern Ireland require 'urgent investment' and are no longer fit for purpose, Ulster Farmers' Union chairman has said.

UFU beef and lamb chairman, Crosby Cleland said Northern Ireland must invest in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) 'beef facilities' to drive the sector forward after saying some have been in place for decades.

"If we are serious about improving this industry we need more investment in research facilities. We also need more advisers on the ground who can work with farmers to boost the profitability of their businesses. This will ensure the sector keeps delivering for the local economy, and it has to be remembered that the industry here competes with others making this type of investment in their future."

The UFU says there is an appetite in the industry for innovation, with this clear at the recent conference for farmers jointly organised by the UFU, CAFRE, AFBI and the LMC.

"There, the DAERA minister, Michelle McIlveen, commented on the benefits of working together. She also acknowledged that sustaining the red meat sector will depend on maintaining and improving its competitiveness and sustainability.

"The ball is now in her department's court to show it is serious about backing the industry by committing to meaningful investment."