Union calls for review after 51 cows euthanised in Co Tyrone in view of members of public
The Ulster Farmers’ Union is calling for an independent review after 51 cows were euthanized by government officials in Co Tyrone. The cull occurred following a court order against a disqualified animal keeper, sparking public criticism over the handling of the situation.
Why it matters
The incident raises significant questions regarding government transparency, animal welfare protocols, and the management of enforcement actions in the agricultural sector.
A call has been made for an independent expert panel to review the culling of cows in Co Tyrone which has sparked criticism.
Criticisms have been made after the livestock were euthanised by Northern Ireland ’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) staff in a field in the view of some members of the public near Fivemiletown in June.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) said that confidence in the department’s veterinary and enforcement processes has been “severely damaged”.
Stormont Minister of Agriculture Andrew Muir said the situation arose following a court order which required his officials to act after a man was convicted of a number of offences and disqualified for life from keeping animals.
Muir said the department gave the herd keeper three weeks to sell off or dispose of his animals, but he “only divested himself of a small number of animals”.
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