
Topic: Nutrient management and the new Environment Agency Digestate Directives
Bio: Gary Lyons is a Senior Scientific officer who has worked for AFBI for 27 years. He is a biological chemist with experience in biomaterials research, particularly the breakdown of plant lignocellulose using physical, chemical and biological techniques, allied to wet chemistry and instrumental analyses. He manages AFBI’s on-farm anaerobic digestion unit, which produces biomethane for renewable energy generation and is currently involved in setting up a new nutrient management facility to process farm slurries and anaerobic digestate nutrients on the farm. He has authored and co-authored more than 40 peer reviewed scientific publications and has been involved in collaborative projects with industry and academic institutions from the UK, RoI and Europe.
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is a multi-disciplinary Scientific Institute offering world class scientific services to a wide range of customers in the agri-food sector. AFBI carries out high technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and other Government departments in Northern Ireland, public bodies and commercial companies. We provide analytical & diagnostic, research & development and scientific training & advice in agriculture, food, animal and plant health, marine and freshwater ecosystems and the agri-environment. Our customers include a range of local, national and international commercial companies, UK Government Departments, Agencies and associated bodies in the European Union and worldwide. AFBI operates across 7 sites in Northern Ireland and employs 650 staff.