A NEW veterinary school for Northern Ireland would help drive economic growth and attract inward investment, it has been claimed.
A leading research institute has welcomed fresh plans involving the north's two universities.
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has said he is concerned that Northern Ireland may not attract sufficient veterinary surgeons to meet the needs of the agri-food industry in the future.
He wants his department to explore options for a more secure supply of vets on a longer term basis.
The Department of Agriculture has now commissioned an analysis of options, which will include consideration of various models for third level education.
There is no option for students to study veterinary science at degree level in the north - they must go to Britain, the Republic or further afield.
The analysis is being taken forward by the department in partnership with the Strategic Investment Board, under the joint oversight of the chief veterinary officer and senior representatives from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.
An announcement on the best potential outcome is expected by the end of the year.
While acting as agriculture minister, Gordon Lyons met the two university vice-chancellors to discuss the potential and the possibility of developing a school.
The Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen's has welcomed the plan.
IGFS Director Prof Nigel Scollan said the possibility of training a work force in veterinary medicine and surgery was a major advance for animal health and welfare, and the agri-food sector.
"This is very welcome news. The need for a veterinary school for Northern Ireland is evident and pressing and the strategic timing is very appropriate," he said.
"There is considerable relevant expertise already based within Queen's, AFBI, Ulster University, CAFRE, DAERA, and within the commercial animal-health sector to deliver a veterinary curriculum and contribute to wider health and life sciences.
"As well as providing skilled professionals, a veterinary school would deliver research and innovation activities that would drive economic growth and attract inward investment."
Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said the north had always depended on graduates from Britain and the Republic.
"Being able to produce our own vets would be transformative for Northern Ireland and particularly our agri-food industry, which is such an important part of the economy," he said.
Professor Carol Curran, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at UU said the university was supportive of proposals to consider the establishment of a new school and would be "interested in discussing this concept more fully to develop a preferred way forward".
