Euthanising cattle was the most ‘humane’ thing they could do – vet

Addressing the committee on Monday morning, the senior principal veterinary officer said staff were aware of significant issues in relation to the safe removal of the “semi feral” cattle ahead of the operation.

The SPVO said the farmer, who was the subject of a court order directing he be deprived of the ownership of all farmed animals, was given “every opportunity” to sell the animals ahead of the operation, with staff visiting and making phone calls to him in a bid to help facilitate the removal of the cattle off the farm.

According to the SPVO, the herd underwent TB testing last winter and 50 of the cattle culled in June were on APHIS. While the herd had been closed for two years, it was the farmer’s wish for the animals to be TB tested in the winter.

Also addressing the AERA committee was DAERA’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer who said staff had been in touch with the herd keeper to assist and advise him on divesting himself of the animals over the course of three weeks following the court order – a two-week grace period plus an additional week.

However, she said the court order is “immediate” and DAERA has to act on that.

“The big issue was gathering [the cattle] in. There were three sites of extensive, open, rough ground and there were semi-feral animals. It adds to the stress for the animals.”

She added that euthanasia in a field is not DAERA’s “first preference”.

The SPVO added: “We have been told previously that orders must be acted on immediately.

“We knew the situation on this farm and this was always our concern. We knew we would face significant issues.

“We could not gather these animals up, and we have evidence of this over the years.

“The farmer was not going to comply. It was impossible.

“The cattle had access to numerous acres of rough ground. The welfare of the animals was our main priority.”

The SPVO also said that, “whatever condition the animals were in, we had to carry out an order”.

“We couldn’t gather the animals up. The most humane thing we could do was euthanise these animals.”

She said the farmer was given every opportunity to gather the animals but he couldn’t do it.

The SPVO said the Humane Slaughter Team was formed in the wake of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and trains with the PSNI.

She said the team has assisted all over, including with a recent DAFM operation, and those working within it are fully trained and comply with all requirements.

“Animals were not being chased around the field,” she said. “This is a trained team and they have protocols to follow.”

DAERA’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer said the operation was the last resort and that “every step was taken” to minimise public view.

Deputy chair of the AERA committee, Declan McAleer MLA, pressed the officials on the use of mobile crushes or handling facilities on the farm.

In response, the SPVO said they assessed that possibility and that issues with using a mobile crush previously were documented.

She said the best way to get the animals off this farm was to “euthanise them in their environment with the comrades”.

She added that staff were “devastated” and required a debrief.

“We worked for years trying to get these animals off this farm,” she said.

The Agriculture Minister and his officials voiced fears that members of the Humane Slaughter Team will stand down due to the backlash they have faced in the aftermath of the Fivemiletown incident.

The Deputy CVO said this team is “expertly trained” and form a “critical role”.

“They are multi-species experts. Northern Ireland needs these people to be available. If they step away, we will be in a bad situation,” she stated.

The SPVO added that public opinion cannot influence decisions and that DAERA staff must be able to “carry out their duties for animal welfare.”

In relation to reports of a calf being found with a gunshot wound on its neck, DAERA officials said they could not verify what the cause of the wound was, however, the SPVO confirmed it was now on a neighbouring farm and had been assessed by a vet from the Department.

The SPVO also confirmed arrangements had been made by the herd keeper in relation to the movement of 15 cattle off the farm. While one of the animals escaped and rejoined the rest of the herd, the transfer of the remaining 14 cattle was facilitated.

On the day of the operation, two sites were cleared by 1.30pm and operations were suspended to facilitate the sale of the remaining four animals, the SPVO stated. However, they could not not be gathered onto a lorry and ended up on the road.

After DAERA staff and neighbours got the cattle off the road, and once protestors had moved on, a “dynamic risk assessment” was carried out.

The cattle were moved “away from the public road and out of public sight” before the operation recommenced.

The SPVO said it is “very clear” that this operation was the “most difficult option” for DAERA and “not the easiest”.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he would urge people to “step back” and realise the “complexities” of this case.

He confirmed he was notified on the day of the operation, stating: “We encourage staff to use their knowledge and expertise. It would be inappropriate for a minister to interfere.”

Mr Muir described misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic hate, threats and abuse as “deeply concerning” and said the fact he had received a death threat is “nothing short of a disgrace”.

Referring to the external review, the minister said that, while time is of the essence, the process must be “fair and balanced”.