External review ordered into 'wild west' style shooting of 51 cattle

An external review has been ordered into an incident which saw 51 cattle being shot dead in a field, with some of it visible to the public.

The cull took place in land near Fivemiletown in County Tyrone last month and it was carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' (Daera) Humane Slaughter Team.

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) and political representatives said they had concerns about the public way it was carried out.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he fully appreciated concerns expressed and added that a review must be taken forward by someone outside his department.

Warning: This article contains images of dead animals that some may find distressing

Daera previously said it was carrying out a court order following a previous animal welfare conviction of the cattle owner.

A spokesperson said the court directed that the defendant be deprived of the ownership of all farmed animals and ordered their destruction.

But fresh questions were raised over how the cattle cull operation was carried out.

At a recent Mid Ulster Council meeting, reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), it was described as a "wild west scene" by Sinn Féin councillor Eugene McConnell, who was at the site of the cull.

The UFU said it had requested an "immediate" meeting with Muir.

UFU President John McLenaghan said the level of concern among its members "cannot be ignored".

Political representatives also expressed concerns.

DUP MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone Deborah Erskine said the case raised serious questions.

Independent Mid Ulster councillor Kevin McElvogue said: "It's inhumane the way this cull had been carried out in view of neighbours."

On Sunday, Muir said animal welfare is an important issue for the people of Northern Ireland.

"I fully appreciate the concerns expressed following the euthanasia of cattle near Fivemiletown, undertaken following a court order," he said.

"I want to reassure everyone that I and my chief veterinary officer take those concerns very seriously."

Engagement with the UFU and USPCA to hear their concerns is already planned, he added, and a review of the circumstances surrounding the intervention is also being taken forward.

"To provide assurance and ensure that the circumstances and context in which the actions of veterinary staff took place is more fully understood and any lessons for the future identified, I have now determined that this review must be taken forward by someone outside the department," Muir said.

Once the review has been completed, the findings will be made public and shared with the assembly.