Extension to the Terms of Members of the Board of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Date published:
The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has announced an extension to the appointment terms of Tom Tynan, Tom Wright, Tim McClelland, Alan Moore and Daphne Johnston as members of the Board of Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for a three-month period.
This decision has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments in Northern Ireland and the extended terms take effect from 1 June 2025 until 31 August 2025.
A public appointment process is currently ongoing to appoint members to the AFBI Board.
Notes to editors:
- Biographical details for all AFBI Board members can be found on the AFBI website.
- AFBI is a DAERA Executive Non-Departmental Public Body set up under the powers of the Agriculture (NI) Order 2004. It is empowered under the Order to undertake scientific work (research and development, testing, advice and information on scientific matters and dissemination of the results of scientific research) in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, food, fisheries, forestry, the natural environment and rural development and enterprise.
- These members have served one term from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2024 and a second, and the current term, from 1 December 2024 to 31 May 2025. Their appointments were made on merit and political activity played no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Mr Tim McClelland is an elected Councillor for the Democratic Unionist Party in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council since 2019. The other members have not been involved in any political activity during the past five years.
- On 8 April 2025 the Minister extended 3 other members, Martyn Blair, Bill Montgomery and Thérèse Rafferty from 1 May to 31 July 2025.
- Board members receive a per diem rate of £436 and their time commitment is unlikely to exceed 20 days per annum.
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