Stormont's agriculture committee will hold an emergency session to question Minister Andrew Muir over the shooting of 51 cattle in a County Tyrone field, after the operation drew sharp public criticism. Mr Muir is due to appear before members on Monday to answer questions about how the cull, carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), was managed.
Daera staff carried out the cull on land near Fivemiletown in June, but the department has faced backlash following claims that some animals were killed within sight of members of the public. One local councillor described the scene as "like a wild west scene," saying gunfire could be heard, while Mr Muir has maintained that there was "no reasonable alternative" to euthanising the cattle on site.
Why were the cattle killed in the field rather than removed?
According to the minister, veterinary staff concluded that removing the animals for remote euthanasia was not feasible in this instance. Mr Muir said last week that it is "generally preferable" for animals to be taken off the premises before being put down, but that on this occasion vets assessed that this option was simply not possible. He added that staff had used the most suitable areas within the field to try to minimise exposure to public view.
Daera has said the operation was carried out to enforce a court order tied to a previous animal welfare conviction against the cattle's owner. According to a report from the Irish News, the cull took place on 29 June 2026 to carry out a court deprivation order on a herd belonging to a keeper who had been disqualified over animal welfare offences.
How long did the operation take and who witnessed it?
The same report states that the operation spanned roughly 12 hours across several fields in the Clogher Valley area, with the first shot fired at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 9:50 p.m. It further notes that the shooting took place within view of motorists and local residents watching from nearby roads and fields, and that Daera has said part of the delay was caused by individuals attempting to disrupt the operation.
Separately, industry sources cited by the Irish News described the cattle as highly stressed and almost feral, suggesting some animals were likely suffering from disease. Mr Muir has previously said there was no "loud gunfire" during the cull and that silencers were used by staff carrying out the operation, which he called a "complex and distressing case" for those involved. He also condemned threats and online abuse directed at Daera staff in the aftermath.
This is not the first time the cull has come under scrutiny. Earlier reporting noted that a review was launched after the 51 cattle were shot dead near Fivemiletown, with councillors and assembly members criticising how the Daera operation was handled. Mr Muir later reiterated that there was no reasonable alternative to euthanising the animals in County Tyrone, even as criticism of the operation continued to grow.
What has the reaction from farmers and politicians been?
The Ulster Farmers' Union has called on its members to attend Monday's special committee meeting, condemning what it called the "barbaric actions of a government department that should have agriculture as it's number one priority."
"We all must stand up and be accounted for,"
the union said in a statement, adding:
"Nothing will do but justice is finally done for those involved and Andrew Muir resigns."
DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Deborah Erskine said last week that "significant questions remain" over the incident and called for an apology to those who witnessed the cull.
What happens next?
Daera's external review into the incident, ordered by Mr Muir, is already under way, with officials stating the aim is to identify improvements for future operations, according to a national broadcaster's report. The Stormont agriculture committee's emergency meeting is scheduled for Monday, at which Mr Muir will face questions directly from members.
Key Facts
- 51 cattle were shot dead near Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, in an operation carried out by Daera on 29 June 2026.
- The cull enforced a court deprivation order against a disqualified keeper following prior animal welfare convictions.
- The operation reportedly lasted about 12 hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., partly delayed by attempts to disrupt it.
- Andrew Muir has ordered an external review and is due to appear before Stormont's agriculture committee on Monday.
- The Ulster Farmers' Union has called for Mr Muir's resignation over how the cull was conducted.
