DAERA Minister today confirmed the Department
will implement all recommendations of the independent review into
the culling of 51 cattle during the implementation of a court
order in Fivemiletown.
The independent review was undertaken by former Irish Chief
Veterinary Officer Dr at the request of Minister
Muir.
Following the report's publication, Minister Muir said: The
events near Fivemiletown came about as a result of one of the
most shocking and sustained cases of animal cruelty that
veterinary officials in the Department have ever had to deal
with. This resulted in a lifetime disqualification of a keeper
and court-ordered deprivation order.
Whilst the review finds that the operation was lawful,
appropriate and sadly necessary from an animal welfare
perspective, it's clear that operational shortcomings existed and
planning gave insufficient consideration to the human and
community impact.
As Minister I did not authorise or direct the operation. When I
then saw the distressing photos and videos of animal carcases and
learned of the range of allegations that were circulating, I
shared the genuine concerns expressed.
That is why I moved quickly to order a full independent external
review of the case. I would like to thank Dr Blake for his
thorough and professional approach in conducting this review.
The report's ten recommendations are accepted in full with
regular reporting and independent oversight put in place to
ensure improvements are driven and sustained at pace.
Dr Blake's report made the following conclusions regarding the
operation at Fivemiletown:
- the Department acted lawfully in implementing a valid court
order;
- that staff made significant efforts in the period immediately
following the court order to help the keeper dispose of the
animals himself;
- that the culling method used was lawful and appropriate from
an animal welfare perspective;
- that the culling of animals individually in their familiar
pasture surroundings is supported by the most modern science as
the most humane course available;
- that the animals culled during the operation were killed
humanely by appropriately trained staff.
- faced with a complex enforcement challenge, there should have
been greater consideration at the pre-operation stage of a
graduated approach to the depopulation;
- there were shortcomings in communications and
decision-making, including in relation to a well-intentioned
decision to suspend the cull and allow the involvement of private
individuals;
- there was insufficient thought given, when planning the
operation, to the need to arrange the swift removal of the cattle
and to the visual and emotional upset felt by individuals who
witnessed carcases lying overnight exposed in open fields;
- information provided to the Minister and the Department's
senior leaders did not adequately highlight the risks associated
with the operation including its timing and the specific method
of disposal chosen. Nor was there any indication to the
Minister or the Department's senior leadership that the operation
had faced the challenges, risks and issues;
- an absence of up-to-date written policy instructions left
staff on the ground relying on historical custom and practice;
- there were shortcomings in clearance, field management,
operational oversight, record keeping and dynamic risk assessment
processes.
- DAERA could and should have done better in planning in
advance how to explain the nature of and necessity for the
operation.
The review has made 10 recommendations which the Department will
move swiftly implement. These include changes to:
- the process for determining the best approach to enforcing
Court Orders in future;
- how operations are planned and signed off;
- the way requests to dispose of livestock are handled;
- the recording of information during complex operations;
- the planning of communications for operations that may be
visible to the public and cause concern.
Notes to editors:
- A copy of Dr Blake's review of the Fivemiletown cull is
available here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/independent-external-review-livestock-cull-operation-fivemiletown-june-2026
- A copy of DAERA's Action Plan in response to the Blake
Review from DAERA is available here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-11/Final
Departmental Response and Action Plan_0.PDF
