Daera to overhaul livestock culling procedures after review

Northern Ireland’s agriculture department will overhaul livestock enforcement procedures following an independent review into the controversial culling of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown.

The incident last summer occurred when marksmen were called in to shoot the cattle on welfare grounds, but owing to the challenging circumstances some were shot in the fields in plain sight and others escaped into the surrounding countryside. 

See also: Northern Irish dismay at ‘barbaric’ slaughter of 51 cows

Stormont agriculture minister Andrew Muir, who defended his department’s actions robustly in the summer, has accepted all 10 recommendations made by former Irish chief veterinary officer Dr Martin Blake who was tasked with the review.

Although the review concluded that the culling was lawful, necessary and humane, it exposed significant failures in how the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) planned, managed and oversaw the operation.

The cull followed a prolonged animal welfare case resulting in the keeper receiving a lifetime disqualification and court-ordered deprivation order.

Significant shortcomings

The report identified failings in planning, communication and oversight, including insufficient consideration of alternative approaches and inadequate carcass disposal arrangements.

Carcasses were left exposed in fields overnight, causing local distress, while senior officials and the minister were not adequately informed of operational risks.

Staff also relied on established practices rather than up-to-date written procedures.

Mr Muir said: “Whilst the review finds that the operation was lawful, appropriate and sadly necessary from an animal welfare perspective, it’s clear that operational shortcomings existed and planning gave insufficient consideration to the human and community impact.”

He said he had neither authorised nor directed the operation but ordered the review after seeing distressing images and hearing concerns.

Recommendations accepted

Daera has accepted all 10 recommendations, which include strengthening how livestock-related court orders are enforced, with greater consideration of alternative approaches before action is taken.

The department will also review how enforcement operations are planned, approved and overseen, including clearer responsibilities for senior officials and improved risk assessments.

Further changes will address livestock disposal arrangements, operational record-keeping and communication with farmers and the wider public.

An action plan setting out delivery timescales and oversight arrangements has been published, with progress subject to regular monitoring.

Industry response

Ulster Farmers’ Union president John McLenaghan said the findings raised fundamental questions about how enforcement operations were managed.

“These are not simply administrative failings.

“They raise fundamental questions about decision-making, accountability and the standards of oversight within Daera.”

While welcoming the acceptance of all 10 recommendations, he warned that restoring farmers’ confidence would require meaningful reform, transparent reporting and stronger safeguards.