Welcoming the two year extensions, the minister said: “I am delighted that six members of the AFBI Board are being reappointed.
“The valuable leadership and support that this board continues to give to the institute’s management and staff is essential if the institute is to achieve its goals in the years ahead.
“I appreciate the dedication and hard work of Sean Hogan, AFBI’s Chairman and all of the board.”
AFBI comprises the former DARD Science Service and the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland and has been in operation since April 2006.
The AFBI Board has responsibility for providing strategic leadership for AFBI, ensuring that the institute fulfils the delivery objectives set by DARD and for promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources by AFBI. The re-appointed members will continue to provide a wide range of relevant skills and expertise that help AFBI in its drive to become a world-class science facility.
These members include: Professor David McDowell, Professor Grace Mulcahy, Professor Stewart McNulty, Mr James Noble, Mr John Rankin and Mr Michael Walker.
All re-appointments have been made in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA) NI Code of Practice.
Notes to Editors:
1. AFBI was created in response in to the O’Hare Review of agri-food education and R&D in Northern Ireland. It assumed full executive powers on 1 April 2006.
2. All appointments to the Institute are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of applicants (if any declared) to be published.
3. AFBI members are expected to commit in the region of 15 days per year to these posts and will receive a remuneration of £3,745.
4. The terms of appointment are due to end on 31 March 2009 and have been extended for a further three years.
5. Re-Appointments
Deputy Chairperson Professor David McDowell lives in Carrickfergus. He has a PhD from the University of Ulster and is a Chartered Biologist. Professor McDowell is currently the Head of Food Microbiology at the University of Ulster. He is also a member of the Food Standards Agency NI Advisory Committee, Chair of the Advisory Group, ProSafebeef and Vice-Chair of the Safefood Scientific Advisory Committee, a voluntary position.
Professor Grace Mulcahy lives in Co Wicklow. She qualified as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin (UCD), from where she subsequently gained a PhD. She is currently Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology and Dean of Veterinary Medicine at UCD and is a Foundation Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Parasitology. Professor Mulcahy is also a member of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, a voluntary position.
Professor Stewart McNulty lives in Belfast. He qualified in veterinary medicine from Trinity College, Dublin, from where he also gained a PhD. Professor McNulty retired as Chief Veterinary Research Officer with DARD Science Service in 2001. He is currently a member of the Health Promotion Agency Board, NI, a voluntary position.
Mr James Noble lives in Newtownards. He has an MSc from Queen’s University and several qualifications in dairying. Mr Noble has previously held a number of public appointments and is currently a member of the Livestock and Meat Commission.
Mr John Rankin lives in Newtownards and has run his own dairy farm for over 40 years. He is a former President of the Ulster Farmers' Union and a former ARINI Trustee, a voluntary position. He is currently a member of the Agricultural Wages Board and Chairman of NFU Mutual NI Regional Board.
Mr Michael Walker lives in Newtownabbey. He has an MSc from Queen’s University and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). He holds the RSC’s Masters degree in Food, Drugs and Water. He is a self-employed consultant on food and water issues, civil and criminal litigation. Mr Walker has held a number of public appointments in recent years and is currently a member of the NI Food Advisory Committee of the Food Standards Agency and Consultant Science Manager for the Government Chemist Programme in LGC.
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