Fivemiletown cattle cull report must deliver answers, accountability and action, says UFU - 'restoring confidence will depend not on words, but on what happens next'

The report is expected to be published next week, ahead of the scheduled Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee session.

UFU president John McLenaghan said, "From the outset, the UFU has been clear that there must be full transparency and accountability surrounding the circumstances that led to the destruction of these cattle.

"Farmers and the wider rural community deserve clear answers and a complete understanding of how this incident occurred.

"The farming community has heard assurances before that 'lessons will be learned', but such commitments mean little unless they result in meaningful change and accountability.

"Confidence in the Department has been significantly damaged.

"Rebuilding that trust will require full disclosure of the facts, complete transparency throughout the process and decisive action where mistakes or failings are identified.

"Anything less risks further undermining confidence across the agricultural sector and rural communities.

"Our farmers and growers are required to meet rigorous standards every day and face consequences when those standards are not met.

"It is only right that the Department is held to the same standard of accountability.”

The UFU says the publication of this report must mark a turning point.

“Farmers expect and deserve openness, accountability and action.

“If failings are identified, there must be appropriate consequences and clear measures put in place to prevent a recurrence.

"Restoring confidence will depend not on words, but on what happens next,” said Mr McLenaghan.

The UFU will scrutinise the report in detail and will continue to demand full accountability, robust action and meaningful reform to ensure any failures are addressed and not repeated.