Fivemiletown cattle cull report must deliver answers, accountability and action, says UFU

THE Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) says the publication of the independent report into the destruction of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown must be robust, transparent and capable of commanding the confidence of farm families and the wider public.

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.

Meanwhile, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has echoed the calls of the UFU.

“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."

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.”