An independent review into the destruction of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown is expected to be published this week. The animals were destroyed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on June 29, following a court deprivation order involving their owner, who had been disqualified from keeping animals.

The review was carried out by former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake. Its findings are expected to be considered at Stormont's Agriculture Committee meeting on Thursday.

The operation prompted concerns within the farming community about the methods used and whether alternative arrangements could have been made. Ulster Farmers' Union president John McLenaghan said the report must provide clarity about what happened and identify any lessons to be learned. He warned that confidence in DAERA had been significantly damaged and that restoring it would depend on actions rather than words.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong said confidence between farmers and the Department that regulates them had been badly damaged and that rebuilding it would take more than time passing. Fellow MLA Deborah Erskine confirmed that local people had contributed to the independent review, stating that she and some of her constituents had fed into it.

The report is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the cull and identify whether changes to departmental procedures are required.