Full transparency and accountability demanded ahead of publication of report into DAERA's Fivemiletown cattle cull

“Farmers are expected to answer for their actions. DAERA must answer for its own,” Mr McCrossan said.

"There cannot be one rule for the farming community and another for the Department policing it."

The member of the AERA Committee said that ‘the killing of 51 cattle at Fivemiletown left people deeply distressed and raised serious questions about decision making, animal welfare and ministerial oversight’.

He added: “Those questions require clear answers.

“I have repeatedly challenged the Minister about who authorised the method used, what alternatives were considered, what safeguards were in place and how much this operation cost the public.

"Publication of this review must finally provide the transparency people deserve."

“The existence of a court order does not remove DAERA’s responsibility for how it was implemented. The Department must be held to the standards it expects farmers to meet."

Mr McCrossan added that “the full report must be published and its findings properly scrutinised” – and “if failures are identified, we need to know who was responsible and what consequences will follow”.

"Another carefully worded assurance that ‘lessons will be learned’ will not rebuild public confidence,” he added.

“The Minister remains accountable to the Assembly for his Department. Commissioning a review does not discharge that responsibility."

“With senior officials due before the Agriculture Committee next week, I will be pressing for direct answers, a clear response to every finding and a timetable for any changes required."

“Our farming and rural communities deserve to know that those exercising considerable powers over their lives and livelihoods are themselves subject to proper scrutiny.

"I will continue to demand that accountability.”