AERA Committee appearance raises more questions than answers - Wilson

Mr Wilson said that whilst the review was a clear and damning indictment of the Department, and produced a wide-ranging set of recommendations, the fact that so many improvements had been identified demonstrated that DAERA had not been operating at an acceptable level of competence.

Mr Wilson said: "This was yet another frustrating interaction with DAERA officials and it follows on from a frustrating encounter in the Assembly Chamber on Tuesday night with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir regarding this shocking Fivemiletown incident. That came after a similarly frustrating committee session in August and, from DAERA's perspective, the situation in terms of accountability has not improved.

"During this latest session with Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher, I repeatedly pressed for further information on a number of areas, including who ultimately is responsible for this debacle. I was not impressed with the responses.

"There certainly does not appear to be any individual culpability amongst officials for this very damaging episode. The hand-wringing and careful use of words do not cover over the multitude of failings that this report uncovers.

"It is clear from any reading of the report that the Department has not been competent in this area. The report demonstrates that clearly through its many recommendations, some of which are simply common sense measures that should have been a foundational part of this branch of the Department from the outset."

Mr Wilson said he had made clear to officials that the incident had significantly damaged confidence within the farming community.

"I made the point clearly that this debacle has damaged confidence amongst farmers. I directly asked the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Veterinary Officer what they would say to the farming community, who are expected at all times to comply with DAERA requirements, when the Department itself acted in such a concerning manner and without proper procedures.

"Farmers are rightly asking why DAERA imposes considerable restrictions on their businesses whilst simultaneously failing to act reasonably and responsibly, as this damning report demonstrates."

Mr Wilson said the issue remained far from resolved and that further scrutiny was required.

"This is not the end of the matter by any means. I have reiterated at committee my desire to have the report author, Dr Blake, appear again before members so that a number of important questions can be put to him directly.

"I am at a loss to understand why his appearance has had to be specifically requested rather than being an integral part of the process for scrutinising and critiquing the report."

"Public concern, and indeed the concerns of farmers, will not have been allayed in any way by this latest round of answers provided by the Department.

"Without delay, it is important that the Minister and DAERA make a very significant effort to urgently implement the many recommendations contained within the report."