Farmers' union calls for Northern Ireland agriculture minister to resign over cattle cull

Agricultural tensions in Northern Ireland have escalated sharply as the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) formally called for Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to step down over the handling of a controversial cattle cull. The incident took place in County Tyrone last June, where 51 cattle were shot dead on-site following a court order stemming from the farm owner's animal welfare convictions.

Public outcry erupted after the cull was conducted within earshot of members of the public. Consequently, UFU President John McLenaghan widened the union's demands, also calling for the resignation of Daera Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher. McLenaghan stated that the department has completely lost touch with the farming community and that trust has been severely damaged.

In response, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) stated that an independent external review is already underway in Fivemiletown. However, the UFU executive committee rejected the current scope and single-person setup of the review, arguing it lacks true independence. Meanwhile, Robert Murtagh of the FDA union criticized the UFU's actions, calling the targeting of specific officials a performative stunt that undermines constructive dialogue and attempts to pre-empt the independent findings.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The controversy traces back to farm welfare inspections initiated in 2022, which uncovered alarming violations including 33 animal carcasses, feed contaminated with waste, and emaciated livestock. The farmer was convicted in May on multiple animal welfare charges, leading to a lifetime animal ban:

• Thirteen charges of failure to dispose of an animal carcass
• One charge of failure to comply with an Animal By-Products notice
• Six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal
• One charge of failure to produce medicine records

A court deprivation order was issued on June 8, granting a standard two-week grace period. Once the extended deadline lapsed on June 29, the departmental humane slaughter team moved in to destroy the remaining 51 animals. Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Gemma Daly later noted that the cattle were semi-feral, making handling difficult without risking staff injury.

"This kind of performative stunt, naming and targeting officials, does not aid understanding and undermines the need for constructive dialogue."

Robert Murtagh

Source: BBC Science & Environment