Special NI agri committee meeting to discuss Tyrone cattle cull
The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) is set to hold a extraordinary meeting next week to discuss the controversial cattle cull in Co. Tyrone.
The meeting, being held next Monday, August 10, will be addressed by Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir.
It comes as fallout continues following after 51 cattle were shot at a farm near Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone on June 29, 2026.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that the operation was conducted "to execute a Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences".
According to DAERA, the operation in Tyrone had been "planned in advance and the methodology selected was considered the most appropriate in the circumstances".
However, serious concerns and questions have been raised by public representatives and the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) about the manner in which the culling operation was carried out.
Review
Minister Andrew Muir said he fully appreciates the concerns expressed following the euthanasia of cattle near Fivemiletown.
"A review of the circumstances surrounding the intervention is also being taken forward.
"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.
"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 said.
The UFU said the external review must be carried out as a "matter of urgency".
Cattle cull
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said: "The way in which these animals were killed has caused a great deal of concern in the area".
"Members of the public witnessed the shootings, which was extremely distressing.
"Any review must be robust, independent and ensure these issues are fully addressed," he added.
The MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone has requested an urgent meeting with DAERA to raise this issue, adding that "it is essential that lessons are learnt from this".
Meeting
Ulster Unionist Party’s agriculture spokesperson and chair of the Assembly’s AERA Committee, Robbie Butler had called for urgent action to be taken following the "deeply concerning cattle cull".
He said the external investigation announced by Minister Muir "was the only credible course of action available".
"I had already written requesting an urgent extraordinary committee meeting so that the minister could answer questions directly.
"Whilst the announcement is a significant step, it must also be the beginning of a process that delivers full transparency, accountability and meaningful change.
"The investigation must be comprehensive and independent," he said.
DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen welcomed confirmation that the AERA Committee will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the incident.
She said the scenes witnessed outside Fivemiletown were "truly shocking and took place in view of the public".
The Strangford MLA who is the party's spokesperson for agriculture had written to the chair on Friday calling for an urgent meeting to be held with Minister Muir and relevant officials.
"My colleague Deborah Erskine has been raising concerns related to this case with the minister for nearly five weeks and whilst the independent review initiated by the minister is necessary, it is important that the committee has an opportunity to scrutinise the incident," she said.
