Minister Andrew Muir Orders Review After 51 Cattle Shot

Stormont Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir ordered an independent external review into the cull of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. The operation, executed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Humane Slaughter Team, followed a court deprivation order involving a disqualified keeper with a previous animal welfare conviction.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation after witnesses described the scenes as barbaric and like the Wild West, reporting that panicked cattle were shot in broad daylight beside a public road. DUP representatives and the Ulster Farmers Union criticized the public nature of the slaughter and questioned whether staff breached animal welfare legislation during the operation.

Minister Muir stated the external review is necessary to ensure the context of the veterinary staff's actions is fully understood and to identify lessons for the future. He committed to publishing the terms of reference and the final findings, which will be presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In response to the outcry, the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee scheduled an extraordinary meeting for next Monday to hold officials to account. The Ulster Farmers Union has further called for a broader examination of previous livestock seizure and destruction operations to determine if existing procedures remain fit for purpose.