Calls for Independent Review After Fivemiletown Cattle Cull
A formal request for an independent expert panel to review the euthanization of 51 cows in Co Tyrone has emerged following public and industry backlash. The livestock were culled by the Stormont Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) in a field near Fivemiletown in June, an event that has led to criticism regarding departmental veterinary and enforcement procedures.
DAERA Enforcement and Court-Ordered Action
The incident followed a court order issued against a herd keeper who had been convicted of a number of offences. According to Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir, the individual was disqualified for life from keeping animals. The department provided a three-week window for the keeper to sell or dispose of his animals, but the minister confirmed that he “only divested himself of a small number of animals”.
Minister Muir stated that the department was left with no reasonable alternative but to comply with the court order, other than to euthanise the remaining 51 cows. Regarding the method of the cull, the minister noted that while it is generally preferable for the animals to be removed from the premises and euthanised remotely, professional veterinary assessments determined that this option was not possible in this specific case.
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Industry Demands for Transparency
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has expressed significant concern over the incident, with President John McLenaghan stating that confidence in Daera’s processes has been “severely damaged.” The union is advocating for a review conducted by an independent panel of experts rather than an internal departmental investigation.
“The farming community will not regain confidence if the department is perceived to be investigating itself,” McLenaghan said. The UFU has signaled that it is continuing discussions with political representatives from across the Assembly to ensure that the upcoming scrutiny committee hearing on Monday is a “genuine examination” rather than a “box-ticking exercise.”
Pro Tips for Industry Scrutiny
- Document Evidence: The UFU has encouraged anyone with relevant information regarding the incident to come forward through appropriate channels.
- Legislative Engagement: Farming stakeholders are utilizing political representatives to ensure concerns reach the Daera scrutiny committee.
- Focus on Policy: The goal of the industry is to push for meaningful change to how the department handles events that led to the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the cows culled in the field?
According to Minister Andrew Muir, professional veterinary staff assessed that removing the animals from the premises to be euthanized elsewhere was not possible under the circumstances of this case.
What is the UFU requesting from DAERA?
The UFU is calling for an independent, transparent, and robust review of the events that led to the cull to restore confidence in the department’s veterinary and enforcement practices.
What is the next step for the department?
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir is scheduled to appear before the Daera scrutiny committee at Stormont to address the incident.
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