Ian Brown: Minister Muir Must Take Responsibility and 'what happened at Fivemiletown must never be repeated'

He said the findings raise ‘deeply troubling questions about governance, accountability, animal welfare and decision-making’ within the Department, and insisted that meaningful changes must now follow. Mr Brown said: “The findings of this independent review are nothing short of alarming.

"What happened at Fivemiletown raises serious questions about how DAERA operates, how decisions are made and who is ultimately held accountable when things go wrong. “The Ulster Farmers' Union has rightly highlighted serious shortcomings in governance, oversight and management, and I fully share those concerns. “Farmers across Northern Ireland are expected to follow strict regulations, meet demanding standards and face serious consequences when they fail to comply.

"Yet when serious failures are identified within the very Department responsible for enforcing those regulations, where is the accountability?

“I am directly challenging Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to explain what he intends to do about these findings.

"Something has to change within DAERA, and that change must start at the top.

“The Minister cannot simply acknowledge the report, express concern and promise that lessons will be learned. We have heard those words too many times from government departments over the years.

“Farmers deserve more than another report gathering dust on a shelf. They deserve answers, action and accountability.

“One of the most disturbing aspects of this operation is the question of whether these cattle genuinely could not be gathered safely.

"Evidence outlined in the review raises questions about that justification, particularly when some animals had previously been gathered for TB testing and others were already housed.

“Serious questions also remain surrounding reports of animals being shot after an instruction to stop, the handling of searches across the sites and communication difficulties involving the PSNI.

“Equally disturbing are the accounts of neighbouring farmers who reportedly attempted to save a cow and calves by offering to purchase them, only for that opportunity to be refused.

“As a farmer myself, I find these accounts extremely difficult to accept.

"Surely every reasonable alternative should have been properly exhausted before such irreversible action was taken.

“This goes far beyond one incident. It raises a much wider question about the culture within DAERA and the relationship between the Department and the farming community.

“Farmers already face enormous pressures from increasing regulations, rising costs and uncertainty about the future of agriculture. They should be able to have confidence that the Department dealing with their livelihoods operates fairly, proportionately and transparently.

“Minister Muir must now tell the farming community who is being held accountable, what changes will be introduced and how he intends to restore confidence in his Department.

“I want to see an independent examination of accountability arising from the failures identified, clear changes to enforcement procedures, stronger oversight of major operations and proper safeguards to ensure animal welfare and public safety are given the priority they deserve.

“If senior management failures are established, there must be consequences. Responsibility cannot continually be passed down the chain while those at the top escape scrutiny.

“Andrew Muir is the Minister responsible for DAERA.

"He may not have personally made the operational decisions involved, but he is politically responsible for ensuring that his Department responds properly to the findings. “The farming community needs to see leadership, not excuses. Accountability, not another round of promises. Real reform, not business as usual. “As Ulster Unionist Representative for Moyola, I will continue to stand up for farming families and challenge decisions that undermine confidence in the agricultural industry. “Farmers deserve to be treated with fairness and respect, and they deserve a Department that is accountable to the people it serves.

“The Minister now has an opportunity to show that he is prepared to confront the problems identified within DAERA. If he fails to deliver meaningful change, serious questions must be asked about his leadership of the Department.

“What happened at Fivemiletown must never be repeated. Something has to change, someone must take responsibility, and the farming community deserves nothing less.” ENDS Ian Brown Ulster Unionist Representative for Moyola

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