Calls have been made for farmers and ‘and every member of the public that is disgusted at the slaughter’ in Fivemiletown to protest outside Stormont on Monday morning.

Agriculture minister orders external review into Fivemiletown cattle killing

The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) is set to hold the extraordinary meeting on Monday (August 10) to discuss the controversial cattle cull in Co. Tyrone.

The meeting comes as fallout continues following after 51 cattle were shot at a farm on June 29, 2026 and will be addressed by Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that the operation was conducted "to execute a Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences".

According to DAERA, the operation in Tyrone had been "planned in advance and the methodology selected was considered the most appropriate in the circumstances".

Serious concerns and questions have been raised by public representatives and the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) about the manner in which the culling operation was carried out.

Farmer David Irwin from Redhouse Holstein said – ‘I will be supporting the protest to show how disgusted and outraged we are at the actions of Daera.

Aerial Photo of Stormont Parliament Buildings home of The Northern Ireland Assembly

“I know we are all busy and have prior arragements, but we need to make the effort this time.

"There can’t be any of this business that ‘there will be plenty of people there and I’ll not be needed’.

‘Everyone needs to make the effort to stand up to the actions on the day of the shooting of 51 fit and healthy animals in such a brutal way, which is simply unacceptable.

‘Politicians and the media will be, I am sure outside Stormont, but they need to see the feelings of our community first hand and know that we will not accept another civil service cover up.

"They saw it online and without the backlash of all of thousands over the weekend, this would have been yet another cover up and swept under the carpet.

‘In a letter Andrew Muir commended his staff for the events on the day. This almost was covered up. Now the people in the agricultural community demand that those involved in this slaughter are sacked and those found to be in breach of the law are brought to justice.

"I’ll see you on Monday and keep it peaceful,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Farmers’ Union has demanded full transparency and accountability regarding the destruction of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown.

Following a meeting with Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher, the UFU said it had conveyed directly the considerable anger, distress and concern being expressed by farmers across Northern Ireland and how an independent review must be carried out as a matter of urgency.

UFU president John McLenaghan said, “The images and accounts that have emerged from this incident have been deeply distressing and have raised serious questions about how the operation was planned, authorised and carried out.

"The destruction of livestock must always be conducted humanely, justified, professionally and in a controlled manner.

"Farmers rightly expect the Department responsible for enforcing animal welfare legislation to demonstrate the highest possible standards in its own actions.”

Mr McLenaghan added, “We need firm safeguards to ensure that an incident of this nature is never repeated.

"This should include a properly documented assessment of every reasonable alternative, suitable facilities for containing and handling livestock, clear veterinary supervision and an individual with the authority to halt an operation if animal welfare or public safety is being compromised.”

He added: “The UFU has heard the strength of feeling within the farming community.

"We will continue to demand the answers our members deserve and will not allow this matter to be closed without full transparency, accountability and action.”

“The farming industry takes animal welfare extremely seriously, and farmers work every day to maintain high standards of care for their livestock. Incidents and images of this nature risk damaging public confidence and creating a deeply misleading impression of an industry that has much to be proud of.

"That makes it even more important that the full facts are established, that accountability is secured and that public confidence in both animal welfare enforcement and Northern Ireland agriculture is restored.”