Minister reveals threat to shoot him following culling of 51 cows

During an emergency meeting of Stormont’s Agriculture Committee on Monday, the minister was told that he had “lost all credibility” and that his department had presided over an “animal welfare scandal” after the cows were shot in fields.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he has received a threat that he will be shot following controversy over the culling of 51 cows in Co Tyrone.

During an emergency meeting of Stormont’s Agriculture Committee on Monday, the minister was told that he had “lost all credibility” and that his department had presided over an “animal welfare scandal” after the cows were shot in fields.

The minister urged MLAs to temper their language after the committee heard a claim that the public believes that there had been a “shoot to kill” approach over the animals.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (Daera) Humane Slaughter Team carried out the cull of the cattle on land near Fivemiletown in June.

Concerns have been raised by some political representatives and farmers about the public nature of the incident and Mr Muir has ordered an external review of the circumstances.

While he appeared before the committee, scores of farmers held a protest outside Parliament Buildings in Stormont.

The cull took place following a court order requiring the department to act after a man was convicted of a number of offences and disqualified for life from keeping animals.

The minister has previously said there was “no reasonable alternative” but to comply with the court order by culling the animals on the site.

Mr Muir told the committee that animals had been “essentially starving to death” on the farm.

He told MLAs: “The case arose from numerous welfare inspections carried out by Daera staff between January 20 2022 and January 30 2024.

“During these inspections, conditions on the farm were very poor.

“The photos published included that of emaciated animals (and) shall never leave my mind.

“The situation on this farm that led to the prosecutions was, frankly, grotesque.” The minister said limited animal feed on the site was “contaminated with urine and dung”.

He added: “A large number of animals were caused unnecessary suffering.

“Approximately 33 animal carcasses and animal bones were found.

“The individual was rightly disqualified for life from keeping, owning and participating in the keeping of animals.” The minister said he appreciated “genuine and legitimate” concerns expressed by members of the public over the operation to cull the cows.

He added: “I must address the very real impact of some of the misleading and inaccurate reporting and commentary that has surrounded this case.

“The wave of misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic hate, threats and intimidation against both officials and myself is despicable and deeply concerning.

“The fact that I have now received a death threat is nothing short of a disgrace.” He added: “The fact that I have had to discuss this with the police and also officials are having to consider security measures and personal safety is unacceptable and seriously troubling.

“The misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic abuse does not reflect the majority of farmers who are respectful and kind.” DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen said: “As a consequence of this operation, your department has lost all credibility in the eyes of the public where animal welfare is concerned, and that is really concerning to me and should be concerning to you.

“There is anger right across the farming community, and the anger is coming from decent, hardworking farmers who are just trying to make a living from the land.

“What happened appears to be brutal, appears to be inhumane, and ironically, what was meant to be an animal welfare intervention has become an animal welfare scandal at the hands of the department, and that’s totally regrettable.” Ms McIlveen asked the minister how he would “retain and renew” confidence in his department.

Mr Muir said he recognised it was a “sensitive and a deeply distressing case” and said concerns raised would be examined in the independent review.

He said: “I think we all have a role in political life for leadership, in facts and understanding that we need to give time and space for the review to do its work, and for that review to be full and thorough, and for them to then fully examine the findings and recommendations arising from this.

“I want to be really, really clear that this case has been really, really difficult, both for me and for officials in the department, because the animal welfare prosecution that led to the deprivation order were grotesque scenes.

“We had carcasses piled up in the farm. We had animal bones lying around. We had emaciated animals.

“I want to reassure everyone that the professional judgement of officials in my department was very much that this was a last resort.

“People were very distressed in terms of having to go there in regard to this, and also very distressing some of the commentaries subsequent to it.” Ms McIlveen said: “From the public’s view, the primary focus didn’t appear to be about the welfare of animals; that it seemed to be rather than a nurture approach, that it was basically a shoot-to-kill approach.” Mr Muir said: “I would urge calm and people to temper their language around this, because I’ve received threats and that someone wants me shot.

“So, we just need to lower the tone in this. We have a responsibility in our language.”