North's agriculture minister announces review into shooting of 51 cows

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Details of a review into a court deprivation order that led to more than 50 cows being shot in Co Tyrone have been published.

The North's agriculture minister Andrew Muir said the review would provide an “independent and evidence-based assessment” of the actions of his officials.

Dr Martin Blake, former chief veterinary officer for Ireland, has been appointed to carry out the review.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (Daera) Humane Slaughter Team carried out the cull of the cattle on land near Fivemiletown in June.

Concerns have been raised by some political representatives and farmers about the public nature of the incident and Muir has ordered an external review of the circumstances.

Hundreds of farmers protested outside Stormont on Monday as Muir answered questions about the incident at his scrutiny committee.

Announcing the details of the review, Muir said: “The operation undertaken in Fivemiletown to comply with a Deprivation Order in relation to a herd keeper disqualified from keeping animals was a particularly complex, sensitive and distressing case, understandably attracting significant attention and concern.

“Acknowledging the concerns expressed, the complexities of the case and an ongoing commitment to openness and transparency, I have decided that an independent external review should be carried out.

“I am confident Dr Blake has the experience and knowledge to lead this exercise.”

He added: “The purpose of this review is to provide an independent and evidence-based assessment of my department’s planning, decision-making and implementation of the operation undertaken on 29th and 30th of June 2026.“The review will assess whether the operation was conducted in accordance with the relevant legal framework, departmental procedures and accepted standards of public administration, and it will identify lessons to inform future practice.

“I am determined this review will be thorough but not prolonged so that any learning can be identified and implemented quickly.”

Muir said the findings and recommendations from the review will be published “as soon as” upon completion.

The incident has caused controversy among some politicians and farmers in Northern Ireland.

The cull took place following a court order requiring the department to act after a man was convicted of a number of offences and disqualified for life from keeping animals.

The minister has previously said there was “no reasonable alternative” but to comply with the court order by culling the 51 cows on the site.

Muir told the committee on Monday that animals had been “essentially starving to death” on the farm.