The Ulster Farmers' Union has called for the immediate resignation of Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher. The demand follows an emergency meeting of the union's executive at which members said they no longer had confidence in the independence of an external review into the shooting of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown.

In June, 51 cattle were shot on a farm after a court issued a deprivation order against the owner, who had been convicted of animal welfare offences and disqualified for life from keeping animals. The department said inspections since 2022 had identified 33 animal carcasses, feed contaminated with urine and faeces, and emaciated animals. Officials told a Stormont committee the cattle were semi-feral and about half were not suitable for the food chain.

The review, announced earlier this month, is led by Dr Martin Blake, a former Chief Veterinary Officer for Ireland. It will examine decision-making, risk assessments and communication around the operation and is due to be completed by early autumn. The UFU said it objected to the review being conducted by a single person and to the scope of its terms of reference, arguing that an investigation into such a serious incident must be demonstrably independent and capable of commanding confidence.

Minister Muir said the cull was neither authorised nor directed by him, but that as responsible minister he had ordered an external review because the public deserved answers. He said there had been no reasonable alternative to euthanising the animals on site, as officials were legally required to act on the court order. He added that no single interest, however powerful, would be allowed to dictate government policy, and that his work continued regardless of any organisation's views. He also said he had received six separate online death threats and had been assaulted, and that departmental staff had been threatened.

Political reaction split. DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen said the party would table a motion of no confidence in Muir when the Assembly returned from summer recess. DUP MP Carla Lockhart said the industry had lost all faith in the department's leadership, while TUV MP Jim Allister said the UFU decision demonstrated the depth of the crisis. Alliance MLA John Blair dismissed the no-confidence vote as a stunt, and the FDA union, represented by Robert Murtagh, said it was entirely inappropriate to call for the resignation of officials who were duty-bound to serve ministers and could not defend themselves publicly. Ulster Unionist Party agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler also called for Muir to stand down.

Hundreds of farmers attended a protest at Stormont on Monday as Muir answered questions at the agriculture committee. Kinawley farmer Jonny Cathcart said he did not dispute the court order but questioned the manner of the cull and argued that alternative outlets, such as sale to other farmers, should have been pursued. He called for those responsible to be held accountable.

UFU president John McLenaghan said the decision to call for resignations was not taken lightly, but confidence had been severely damaged and farmers felt the department had lost touch. The union reaffirmed its vote of no confidence in the department and said it would continue to press for an independent, transparent and public review of the Fivemiletown operation. A department spokesperson said its door remained open for engagement with all parties, including the UFU.