“One of the biggest DAERA scandals ever” – Carla Lockhart demands public inquiry into cattle operation

DUP agriculture spokesperson, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart

Pressure on DAERA over the controversial destruction of cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified after DUP agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart described the incident as “one of the biggest scandals the department has ever faced”, while calling for a full public inquiry rather than an external review.

The Upper Bann MP said confidence in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had been “badly damaged” and argued that only a transparent and fully independent investigation could answer the growing number of questions surrounding the operation.

Her intervention comes after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir confirmed today (Monday, 3 August)that an independent external review will examine the circumstances surrounding the euthanasia of cattle carried out under a court order near Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.

Calls for inquiry beyond external review

While welcoming the Minister’s decision to appoint an independent reviewer, Ms Lockhart said the move did not go far enough.

“Minister Andrew Muir has a very serious issue on his hands, and a lot of important questions remain unanswered,” she said.

“We don’t need a review to know that what happened is very alarming and wrong.

“This situation cannot be resolved through carefully worded statements or a ‘lesson learned’ internal review. We need a full, truly independent public inquiry into what happened, who authorised it, how it was allowed to happen and who must ultimately be held accountable.”

She confirmed she has written to DAERA requesting the review’s terms of reference and has also sought a meeting with Minister Andrew Muir, Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher.

“It is crucial that this review is dealt with urgently and independently,” she added.

“This has turned the public spotlight on Northern Ireland agriculture for all the wrong reasons, and could potentially have wider and deeply damaging repercussions for the entire agri-food sector.”

Questions over how the operation was carried out

The operation has prompted widespread public debate after reports that 51 cattle were destroyed by shooting during the execution of a court order.

Ms Lockhart stressed she was not questioning the legal requirement to enforce the court order itself, but rather the manner in which it was carried out.

“It has been publicly reported that 51 cattle were destroyed by shooting during the execution of a court order. I fully recognise that court orders must be enforced, and that is not the issue. The real question is where and how this operation was carried out.”

Referring to footage and eyewitness accounts circulated since the incident, she said many people had been left “shocked, distressed and deeply concerned”.

“Witnesses have described scenes ‘like the Wild West’, with reports of cattle being chased around fields before being shot while members of the public, including children, looked on.

“These accounts raise very serious questions about breaches of animal welfare, health and safety, and professional conduct regulations, and whether the operation was carried out in a manner the public would reasonably expect from a government department.”

She also called for clarification over reports that the PSNI was allegedly unable to respond to reports of gunfire during the operation.

‘Strength of public feeling unlike anything I have witnessed’

Ms Lockhart said the issue had dominated conversations with farmers and members of the public across Northern Ireland in recent days.

“Over recent days I have attended a number of events across Northern Ireland, and without exception this has been the dominant topic of conversation.

“The words I heard repeatedly were furious, sickened, appalled and horrified. The strength of public feeling is unlike anything I have witnessed for a very long time.”

She continued:

“Farmers and members of the public simply cannot comprehend what has taken place in a quiet rural area. There is a widespread belief that if any individual or private organisation had carried out an operation in this manner, they would now be the subject of a major investigation.

“There cannot be one rule for the public and another for a government department.”

Stormont scrutiny due next week

The DUP MP said people now wanted clear answers about how decisions were made and whether alternative approaches had been properly considered.

“People are demanding honesty, accountability and full transparency. They want to know who authorised this operation, why these methods were used, whether alternative options were properly considered and what safeguards will now be put in place to ensure nothing like this will ever happen again.

“I do not believe this is the standard of professionalism that Northern Ireland’s farmers should expect from DAERA. Confidence in the department has been badly damaged by the way this operation has been handled.”

Ms Lockhart also acknowledged the work of DUP colleagues Deborah Erskine MLA and Councillor Mark Robinson, who have been raising concerns locally, and welcomed confirmation that an extraordinary meeting of Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee has been scheduled for Monday, 10 August.

Concluding, she said:

“Northern Ireland’s farmers deserve a department that portrays professionalism, sound judgement, compassion and common sense.

“Right now, confidence has been badly shaken. It is now up to Minister Andrew Muir and DAERA to provide the answers the public deserve, restore confidence in the department and ensure that this catastrophe is never repeated.”

The external review announced by Minister Andrew Muir is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the operation and identify any lessons for the future. DAERA has said the review’s terms of reference will be published shortly before work begins.