Farmers to protest at Stormont over Co Tyrone cattle deaths

Farmers are set to protest at Stormont as anger continues over the destruction of 51 cattle during a Department of Agriculture operation in County Tyrone.

The demonstration is due to begin at 10am on Monday 10 August, the same day the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee holds an extraordinary meeting to examine the incident near Fivemiletown.

The cattle were destroyed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ Humane Slaughter Team on 29 and 30 June.

DAERA said the operation was carried out “to execute a Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences”.

Northern Ireland's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said the department had considered other options before proceeding.

He said that “after careful consideration of all available options, the department was unfortunately left with no reasonable alternative to comply with the court order, other than to euthanise the animals”.

According to Muir, 50 cattle were euthanised on 29 June and a further animal the following morning.

DAERA said the operation had been planned in advance, with animal welfare, staff safety and the views of operational teams taken into account. The department also engaged with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

However, the way the operation was carried out has prompted strong criticism from within the farming community.

An external review has now been ordered, with Muir confirming that it will be conducted by someone from outside DAERA.

“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.”

The review will examine the circumstances and context surrounding the operation and identify any lessons for future enforcement action.

Its terms of reference are expected to be published, with the findings and recommendations also due to be made public and shared with the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has demanded a full explanation of the decision-making behind the operation and is expected to send a senior delegation to Monday’s committee meeting.

UFU president John McLenaghan said: “As a union we have been shocked, angered and deeply distressed by this incident. The strength of feeling across our membership is unlike anything we have witnessed for many years.”

He said farmers wanted to know how the decisions were reached, who authorised them and whether every possible alternative had been properly considered.

The union has acknowledged that the operation was conducted under a Court Deprivation Order but maintains that serious questions remain over how it was carried out.

The court order followed convictions for animal welfare and disposal offences, with the keeper disqualified for life.

The UFU has said any destruction of livestock must be carried out humanely and proportionately, regardless of the circumstances of an enforcement operation.

Attention will now turn to Monday’s committee meeting and the external review, with farmers seeking answers over who authorised the operation, what alternatives were considered and whether the destruction of the cattle was proportionate.