Agriculture minister Andrew Muir insists he will NOT resign after earlier revelation ‘the operation at Fivemiletown was neither authorised or directed by me’
Agriculture minister Andrew Muir has insisted he will NOT resign after earlier revealing on on social media that ‘the operation at Fivemiletown was neither authorised or directed by me’.
In an interview with Cool FM Mr Muir also claimed that “The days of the Ulster Farmers’ Union dictating policy are over”.
In an interview with the radio station, Mr Muir also revealed he has received numerous threats to his life and has also been assaulted.
He spoke out after the UFU called for him to resign over how a cull of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown in June.
The UFU has also called for DAERA Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher to resign.
Responding to the UFU calls, Mr Muir said the union should apologise for naming officials and questioned its leadership.
Meanwhile, earlier today, on social media, Andrew Muir issued a statement saying that ‘The operation at Fivemiletown was neither authorised nor directed by me.
‘Nevertheless, as the responsible Minister, I ordered an external independent review because the public deserves clear answers.
‘If mistakes were made by my officials, they must be identified and lessons learned.
‘However, my job of work continues regardless of the views of any one organisation’.
‘No single interest, however powerful or well organised, will be allowed to dictate government policy.
‘Lough Neagh, our environment and the health and wellbeing of our communities cannot be protected by preserving the status quo.
‘Our farming industry will not have a sustainable future unless we tackle these challenges honestly.
‘That means making difficult decisions when the evidence requires them.
‘It means confronting problems that have been allowed to persist for too long.
‘And it means ensuring that the interests of future generations carry as much weight as the interests of those who have traditionally had the loudest voice.
‘There is a lot more I intend to do as Minister, embracing the entire remit of the department.
‘The state of our environment and climate demands it.
‘I was elected to change things.
‘That is exactly what I will continue to do’.