Agriculture minister claims there was 'no alternative but to euthanise cattle'
Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir defended the decision to euthanize 51 cattle in County Tyrone, citing veterinary advice that removal was impossible. The incident, which occurred during a court-ordered animal welfare seizure, sparked public outcry due to the visibility of the cull.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ethical and public relations challenges faced by government departments when enforcing animal welfare laws in public view.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Niall McCracken BBC News NI Mid Ulster reporter PA Media Minister Andrew Muir said veterinary staff advised that it wasn't possible to remove the cattle before they were euthanized The agriculture minister has claimed there was "no reasonable alternative" to euthanising 51 cattle who were shot dead in a field in County Tyrone at the end of June.
The incident attracted widespread criticism after claims emerged that some of the cattle had been culled by Department of Agriculture staff in view of some members of the public in a field near Fivemiletown.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the agriculture minister said it was "generally preferable" for the animals to be removed from the premises and euthanised remotely.
But Andrew Muir added that in this case it was the assessment of veterinary staff that "this option was simply not possible".
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