A DAERA review has been launched after 51 cattle were shot on farmland near Fivemiletown under a court order following an animal welfare conviction. Local councillors and residents described the public cull as distressing and compared the scene to the 'Wild West'. The Agriculture Minister said the field operation was chosen on safety grounds and that disruptions by a small number of onlookers prolonged the operation. DAERA will complete a lessons-learned review and has arranged talks with police; the Ulster Farmers' Union has requested updates.
Public Outcry After 'Wild West' Culling Of 51 Cattle Near Fivemiletown — DAERA Review Launched
Sinn Féin Mid Ulster councillor Eugene McConnell said it was a very distressing scene and he had "never seen anything ilke it" [BBC]
Warning: This article contains descriptions and images of dead animals that some readers may find distressing.
A review has been launched after 51 cattle were shot dead last month on farmland near Fivemiletown in County Tyrone. The operation was carried out in the field by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Humane Slaughter Team under a court order following a previous animal welfare conviction of the herd owner.
DAERA said the court directed that the defendant be deprived of ownership of all farmed animals and ordered their destruction. The department says the decision to carry out the cull in the field — rather than in a yard — was taken because of operational difficulties and health and safety considerations.
Local Reaction: Distress And Calls For Answers
Local councillors and residents expressed shock and distress at the public nature of the operation. Sinn Féin councillor Eugene McConnell, who visited the site, described the scene as like the 'Wild West' and said the operation felt inhumane and extremely upsetting to those who encountered it.
'I have never seen anything like it. It felt very inhumane, and it was extremely upsetting for those who came across the scene,' McConnell said. 'Gun shots could be heard miles away… did this cull have to take place in such an open way? Surely there were other options.'
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said members of the public should not have been able to witness the cull and described footage and images of the incident as deeply upsetting. She said the case raised serious questions and welcomed the minister's decision to order a review.
DUP MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone Deborah Erskine said the case raised serious questions [BBC]
DAERA And Ministerial Response
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir told MLAs that DAERA was acting on a court instruction and that the farmland concerned was remote. He said officials faced unforeseeable issues caused by a small number of members of the public, some of whom were trying to disrupt the operation. The minister added that these disruptions prolonged the operation and delayed the collection of carcasses until the following morning.
'This was a highly sensitive operation and such situations are rare,' the minister said, commending staff for carrying out difficult work under physical and mental strain. He confirmed a meeting with the police had been arranged to discuss the issues encountered.
DAERA acknowledged an increase in local traffic during the operation and said officials responded dynamically to risks on the day. The department has launched a lessons-learned review to identify improvements for future operations.
Wider Response
The Ulster Farmers' Union said it is seeking more information from DAERA and requested to be notified of the outcome of the review. Independent Mid Ulster councillor Kevin McElvogue described the public nature of the cull as inhumane and urged a prompt and transparent review into how the operation was handled.
Under Northern Ireland rules, culling of farm animals is tightly regulated and is normally restricted to notifiable disease control, welfare emergencies, or licensed slaughter. Local representatives have asked for clear findings from DAERA's review to ensure any necessary procedural or communication changes are made so similar distress does not recur.
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