Threat to NI colleges

A marked decline in Ulster's agriculture industry raises questions about the need for full-scale provision of higher education services in agriculture and food science, says the Northern Ireland Economic Council.

In its annual report, the council says although the teaching at the School of Agriculture and Food Science at Queen's University, Belfast, appears to operate effectively, the role of the three Department of Agriculture and Rural Development colleges is less clear. It suggests that further education colleges could provide many of the courses they offer.