Northern Irish dismay at ‘barbaric’ slaughter of 51 cows

An independent review is under way in Northern Ireland (NI) after 51 cattle were allegedly shot while loose in fields on a farm subject to a court order connected to an animal welfare conviction.

Images and accounts of the incident near Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, were “deeply distressing” and raised “serious questions” over how the operation was planned, authorised and carried out, said Ulster Farmers’ Union president John McLenaghan.

See also: Badger TB testing and cull trial begins in Northern Ireland

It is understood that the cull relates to a court order directing that the defendant – thought to be the owner of the cattle – be deprived of the ownership of all farmed animals.

Stormont agriculture minister Andrew Muir has ordered an external review into how this was carried out and said the findings would be made public.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agriculture spokesman Carla Lockhart MP said it had been reported that the cattle were destroyed by shooting.

The footage and eyewitness accounts that had emerged since the incident had left many people “shocked, distressed and deeply concerned”, she said.

“Witnesses have described scenes ‘like the Wild West’, with reports of cattle being chased around fields before being shot while members of the public, including children, looked on,” she said.

“These accounts raise very serious questions about breaches of animal welfare, health and safety, and professional conduct regulations, and whether the operation was carried out in a manner the public would reasonably expect from a government department.”

Wider review

Alongside the external review, the UFU wants a separate and wider examination of previous history involving the seizure or destruction of livestock in NI, and the conduct of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) officials during those operations.

This was necessary to establish whether there are recurring concerns, whether previous lessons were acted upon, and whether Daera’s existing procedures and culture are “fit for purpose”, said Mr McLenaghan.

Referring to the specific incident near Fivemiletown, he said it risked damaging public confidence and creating a “deeply misleading impression of an industry that has much to be proud of”.

“The UFU has heard the strength of feeling within the farming community,” he said.

“We will continue to demand the answers our members deserve and will not allow this matter to be closed without full transparency, accountability and action.”