Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs

From 9th May 2016, the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs encompasses: the functions of the former Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, excluding the Rivers Agency; the environmental functions from the former Department of the Environment (DOE); Inland Fisheries from the former Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; responsibility for sustainable strategy. The environmental functions that transferred from DOE included regulation, but excluded the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's built heritage function.

Agencies and Other Associated Bodies

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

The Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) was created on 1st April 2006 as an amalgamation of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Science Service and the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. AFBI is a leading provider of scientific research and services to government, non-governmental and commercial organisations.

Agri-Food Strategy Board

The Agri-Food Strategy Board's role is to provide strategic advice to Executive Departments and Agencies on a range of issues affecting the agri-food sector. It ceased to exist in August 2017.

Agricultural Wages Board

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland is a statutory body which meets three times a year, to determine the minimum gross wages payable to agricultural workers and to set some conditions for holiday and sick pay entitlement.

Forest Service

The Forest Service is an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland

The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, which was established by Statute (The Livestock Marketing Commission Act [Northern Ireland] 1967) to assist the development of the livestock and livestock products industries.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is an Executive Agency within the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.The NIEA works to protect, conserve and promote the natural environment and built heritage.

Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority.

The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affiars.

Publications in this Department