'Urgent' action required at NI science lab

Serious concerns have been raised over safety at Northern Ireland's Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

A report by the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain said "urgent, sustained and verifiable action is required", after it found weaknesses in governance arrangements and laboratory working practices.

Stormont's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir told the Assembly he appreciated the "professionalism" of AFBI staff, but he needed "stronger and clearer assurance that standards are being applied consistently".

The AFBI board said action had already been taken to "drive improvements and address all issues raised".

The minister said in relation to both historic and recent allegations about animal welfare and environmental practices at the AFBI farm in Hillsborough, he asked the board to "provide rigorous oversight and clear assurance that farm operations meet the highest standards and that any learning is embedded".

AFBI is an arms' length body of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).

The science it provides plays a key role in safeguarding animal and public health, as well as responding to disease or other issues.

The Assembly heard that the inspection by HSE GB identified areas where "significant improvements" are needed.

Muir outlined the findings:

• Weaknesses in administrative and governance arrangements, including systems for oversight and assurance;
• Deficiencies in procedures and controls required to ensure effective biocontainment;
• Concerns relating to infrastructure and facility condition, particularly where higher containment standards are required;
• In terms of biosafety, evidence was lacking to ensure that facilities were fit for purpose and safe to use;
• Gaps in organisational capability to consistently demonstrate compliance with required biosafety standards.

The report also found that testing procedures for Bluetongue virus at the time were unsafe, with measures required to protect the environment.

Muir told the Assembly that when the facilities were inspected, Northern Ireland was in an inactive period for spread of the virus and there was "negligible" risk of onward transmission from the AFBI.

But he added that, with the higher risk time approaching, a "triage protocol" was being finalised to ensure that material from suspected infected animals is not accepted for post-mortem by AFBI.

And diagnostic swabs and blood samples will only be accepted where the necessary containment facilities are in place.

The report also recommended that protocols for testing of bird flu should stop.

Contingency measures have been put in place to ensure samples can be taken to facilities that meet containment standards.

The minister also addressed allegations about practices on the AFBI farm at Hillsborough and a "low severity" water pollution incident in early April.

He said some of the allegations were historic in nature while others were more recent, and all had been examined by both Daera and the AFBI board.

The water pollution incident had involved a spillage of milk that was reported by AFBI management and responded to by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

It had "minor visual impact" on Hillsborough Lake and "no impact" on the fish population.

The Board of AFBI said it "takes seriously" the trust placed in the organisation "and the need for transparency for Daera and all stakeholders".

It said AFBI was "actively responding to the matters highlighted by the minister" and that action had already been taken to address all issues raised.

And it added that AFBI was "committed to developing and delivering an Organisational Action Plan" with Daera.

The minister said that "robust regulatory oversight" and "immediate mitigations" were in place to ensure essential diagnostic and surveillance services can continue safely.

Departmental oversight is being increased, with "at least" quarterly reports to be submitted.

The measures are "intended to be short term".

The board of AFBI has been asked to develop an overall Organisational Action Plan addressing the findings.

A formal review of AFBI was reported to Daera in February 2025.

The minister said the review report and the Department's response would be published shortly.