Multi-million climate-friendly beef project launched by AFBI

The four-year CliBeef project will be led by AFBI and delivered in partnership with Teagasc,  Ireland’s agriculture and food development authority; Queen’s University Belfast, and AgriSearch.

 

Twelve farms, one in each of the six Northern Ireland counties and one in each of the six border counties in Ireland; Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Sligo; will be at the core of the project.  These farms will be key to the success of the project and its impact as they will provide real world evidence of how to achieve climate-friendly beef.

Researchers will work closely with the 12 farms to develop and trial new practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve efficiency while still maintaining production levels.

The CliBeef project will evaluate solutions including novel crops and feed additives in both laboratory and field-based studies. Participating farms will also look at options for making their enterprises more efficient and climate friendly.

Climate targets have been set on both sides of the border which aim for net zero GHG emissions by 2050[1] .  Beef systems are a significant contributor to methane emissions across the island of Ireland.  However, methane is a waste of energy within the animal.  Adoption of new solutions at a farm level will enable beef farmers to support these national targets, maintain their production levels, and help build rural economies.

As such, the CliBeef project has the potential to contribute hugely to the agricultural sector’s response to climate challenges by creating practical solutions as part of efforts to reduce methane emissions and the industry’s carbon footprint.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “CliBeef is an excellent example of how research, innovation and collaboration can support the agri‑food sector to transition towards a low‑carbon, climate‑resilient future. Supported by the PEACEPLUS Innovation Challenge Fund, this cross-border partnership brings together leading research organisations and SME farms to deliver commercially viable solutions that will boost productivity, safeguard jobs and reduce emissions across the red meat sector. This project aligns strongly with my Economic Vision and with my department’s Agri-tech sectoral action plan, which identifies Agri-tech as a high-potential priority sector. I look forward to seeing the lasting impact CliBeef will have on the agri-food sector and the wider economy.”

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: “CliBeef demonstrates how investment in research, innovation and cross border collaboration can deliver real benefits for farmers, the environment, and rural communities. To meet ambitious climate targets, it is essential that we provide farmers with the tools, knowledge, and support to do so. CliBeef places farmers at the heart of innovation, ensuring that solutions are practical, affordable, and grounded in everyday farming reality.  Combining laboratory research with field-based trials, researchers will work closely with farmers to assess measures such as novel feed additives, alternative crops, and improved farm efficiency.”

Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir said: “Northern Ireland has a world‑class beef sector. Continued investment in high‑quality science is essential to underpin a thriving, resilient and sustainable beef sector. This North–South cross‑border partnership exemplifies the role of collaboration in enabling the practical application of relevant and impactful scientific evidence. I very much welcome this CliBeef project, which brings together expertise from across the island of Ireland to support a sustainable, productive and competitive beef industry for the future.”

Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Chief Executive said: “CliBeef is a strong example of how cross-border collaboration and innovation can help address shared challenges facing key industries. By bringing together leading research organisations and farmers, this project will support the development of practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity and economic stability, all which will benefit our citizens. Peace, prosperity and cross border collaboration are fundamental objectives of PEACEPLUS.”

Dr Francis Lively, AFBI Principal Scientific Officer, said: “This launch has re-emphasised the importance of the beef industry within the NI and RoI economy.  However, beef farmers on both sides of the border are facing significant challenges to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining profitability. CliBeef is an important project which will work closely with beef farmers and the wider beef industry to support resilience, sustainability and efficiency by creating solutions that can be easily and practically adopted at a farm level.”

Professor Elizabeth Magowan, Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, said: “I am delighted that AFBI is leading this project in partnership with long term partners Teagasc, QUB and AgriSearch.  This project brings together an excellent team, and coupled with 12 dedicated farmers, it has great potential to support our world renown beef industry across the island of Ireland in a very practical way.”

The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), part of a broader initiative to support peace and reconciliation throughout Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland.

[1] The legislation refers to The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and the Climate Action Plan 2024 in Ireland