DAERA Minister orders independent review into controversial Fivemiletown cattle operation

Inset: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, and the scenes in a Fivemiletown field where dozens of cattle were shot by DAERA officials.

Monday, August 3, 2026

An independent review will be carried out into the controversial DAERA enforcement operation near Fivemiletown that resulted in the euthanasia of dozens of cattle, after Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister announced the investigation will now be conducted by someone from outside his department.

The decision marks a significant escalation in the Executive’s response to mounting concern surrounding the operation, with the findings and recommendations to be published once the review is complete.

The announcement follows calls from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) for urgent talks with DAERA and growing public scrutiny over the circumstances in which the court-ordered intervention was carried out.

Minister moves review outside DAERA

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said animal welfare remained a matter of deep personal importance and acknowledged the widespread concern that has followed the operation.

“Animal welfare is an important issue for the people of Northern Ireland and it is something that I care deeply about. I fully appreciate the concerns expressed following the euthanasia of cattle near Fivemiletown, undertaken following a court order.”

The Minister said both he and DAERA’s Chief Veterinary Officer were taking those concerns “very seriously” and confirmed that engagement with both the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) is already planned.

However, he said he had now decided that the review should no longer be conducted within the department.

“To provide assurance and ensure that the circumstances and context in which the actions of veterinary staff took place is more fully understood and any lessons for the future identified, I have now determined that this review must be taken forward by someone outside the department.”

Mr Muir said the terms of reference for the independent review will be published shortly.

“We will very shortly publish the terms of reference and, once the review has been completed, will also make public the findings and recommendations and share these with the Assembly.”

He also confirmed he has asked to meet the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee to outline the circumstances surrounding the intervention and explain the actions now being taken.

Questions remain over enforcement operation

The operation, carried out under the authority of a Court Deprivation Order, has attracted widespread attention after images and videos circulated online showing cattle that had been euthanised.

While DAERA has maintained that the intervention was undertaken following a court order, the manner in which it was carried out has prompted criticism from sections of the farming community and calls for greater transparency.

The Minister’s decision to appoint an independent reviewer represents the most significant step taken so far in response to those concerns and is intended to provide public assurance while identifying any lessons for future enforcement operations.

UFU welcomed review but raised concerns

Before the Minister’s announcement, the Ulster Farmers’ Union had earlier on Monday requested an urgent meeting with Mr Muir, saying the operation had generated significant concern among its members.

The Union has also sought further information from DAERA regarding the planning and execution of the enforcement action and the decision-making process behind it.

UFU President John McLenaghan said the level of concern within the farming community could not be ignored.

“The level of concern among our members cannot be ignored. While we recognise this operation was carried out under a Court Deprivation Order, serious questions have been raised about how it was conducted.

“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the enforcement action, the destruction of livestock must be carried out in a manner that is humane, proportionate and maintains confidence among farmers and the wider public.”

Mr McLenaghan said the Union welcomed DAERA’s decision to review the incident but believed it was essential that the process established exactly what happened and identified any lessons that could help prevent similar concerns in future.

What happens next

The terms of reference for the independent review are expected to be published in the coming days, setting out its scope and remit.

Once completed, the findings and recommendations will be made public and presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The review is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the Fivemiletown intervention, provide greater understanding of the actions taken by veterinary staff and identify any lessons that could inform future enforcement operations.