Business leaders, academics, government bodies and policymakers are invited to attend the annual Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Outlook Science conference on Wednesday 24 March 2021 discussing future challenges and opportunities facing food production and environmental sustainability.

Reflecting on the recent scientific research and what investment and incentives are needed to stimulate further innovation, several internationally renowned scientists including Professor Miles Carroll from Public Health England, Professor Fiona Doohan from University College Dublin and Professor Joao Ferreira from Longline Environment Ltd will explore a full range of topics from protecting human health, enhancing the marine and natural environment as well as leading improvements in our agri–food system.The free online event which is hosted by AFBI will take place over three sessions throughout the day. These sessions will explore the interactions between animal and human health, the role of plants and their production in our food system and environmental modelling and manage to enable future sustainability.AFBI is delighted that Minister Poots will introduce the conference and throughout the day AFBI’s partners, including QUB, CAFRE, UFU, FSA and DAERA will take part in the event through panel discussions focusing on the vision for the future of Northern Ireland’s food systems and the environment. Speaking ahead of the conference Dr Elizabeth Magowan, Director of Sustainable Agri–Food Sciences Division said, “COVID–19 and Brexit have brought unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities to the way we work and live. At the start of this new decade, the need for us to actively harmonise the relationship between our food production systems and our environmental and societal health has never been greater. Through this science outlook conference, we will look to how science could enable this harmonisation to evolve”.“This virtual conference programme presents an opportunity to hear the latest scientific developments, knowledge and insights from the professionals that are at the heart of these important areas of research.”As an internationally recognised centre for innovation in agri food and biosciences, AFBI is committed to using scientific excellence to advance the local and global agri–food sector through high quality and locally relevant scientific research.

For more information and how to register, visit AFBI’s Eventbrite page.