This Memorandum will foster opportunities for innovative collaboration among scientific leaders in AFBI and Teagasc. Both organisations wish to encourage substantial research co-operation in some or all of the fields of animal health and disease control, animal and crop production, climate change, renewable energies, grass breeding and utilisation, food safety and agricultural economics; all research being for the mutual benefit of the island of Ireland.

The MoU will provide opportunities for the exchange of scientific staff to carry out joint research and/or to organise and attend scientific meetings, with a view to promoting the development of co-operative research.

Speaking at the signing of the memorandum, Seán Hogan, chair of AFBI said, "AFBI and Teagasc have an excellent working relationship, collaborating on Stimulus funded research projects and through the Teagasc Walsh Fellowships programme."

Dr Frank O Mara, acting director of Agriculture Research in Teagasc said, "This Memorandum will deepen the relationship between the two organisations, helping to pool our collective resources and create critical mass in a number of research areas of interest and relevance to farmers and the agriculture sector."