The  Agriculture and Horticulture Research Forum (until 1 April 2008 the Applied Research Forum for Farming and Food) was established in 2003 following a recommendation in the Report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food (the 'Curry Report').

The Forum provides a mechanism for industry levy bodies to collaborate in the development and integration of appropriate strategic and applied R&D programmes and associated knowledge transfer activities, and to influence Government prioritisation and investment in agri-food research.  Since the 1st April 2008 the statutory levy bodies (BPEX, DairyCo, EBLEX, HDC, HGCA, and The Potato Council), have been incorporated into one levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB).  Within the Board, six sector companies focus on the interests of specific industries. The AHRF also includes the two non-statutory levy bodies, BBRO and PGRO.