NI minister provides update on shooting of 51 cows
Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir addressed the controversial cull of 51 cows in Co Tyrone, confirming that the action was taken following a court order. The minister defended the department's actions while noting that staff have faced threats following the incident.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of animal welfare laws, government enforcement, and public accountability in rural governance.
Civil servants have received threats and abuse following controversy over the shooting of 51 cows in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.
Providing an update to MLAs, Mr Muir said that "no animal was chased around fields" by staff and no cattle were shot multiple times.
He did, however, state that some animals had made it onto a public road and had been chased "for a significant period of time" after a local farmer had expressed interest in buying some of the cows.
Stormont's Agriculture Committee is due to meet on Monday to discuss the cull carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (Daera) Humane Slaughter Team on land near Fivemiletown in June.
Concerns have been raised by some political representatives about the nature of the incident and Mr Muir has ordered an external review of the circumstances.
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