Agriculture minister Andrew Muir has launched a blistering response to calls to resign by the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) over the mass shooting of cows in Co Tyrone, insisting its days of “dictating government policy are over”.
The minister – who claims he has been “assaulted” and has received death threats over the controversy – hit back at the UFU on Friday after it called for his immediate resignation over the cull, and that of former GAA triple All-Ireland winner-turned NI chief veterinary officer (CVO) Brian Dooher, plus DAERA permanent secretary Katrina Godfrey.
The UFU’s call followed an emergency meeting of its executive committee on Thursday evening.
Mr Muir insisted he was not going anywhere, and accused the UFU of leading agriculture in the north to “problems that I’m seeking to fix”.
He also said that for the union to “name and target” DAERA officials was “entirely inappropriate”, and demanded they “apologise for what they have done”.
The controversial cattle cull has become a crisis for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) after it emerged the 51 animals were openly shot dead in fields in the Fivemiletown area in June.
Political opponents in the DUP led a protest at the steps of Stormont earlier this week, urging Minister Muir to step down.
That demonstration was attended by hundreds of farmers, while inside Minister Muir gave evidence on the incident to the DAERA scrutiny committee.
UFU leaders attended that meeting but said they were “bitterly disappointed” with what they heard.
Despite UFU members attending the protest, the union had stopped short of calling for the minister to resign.
Now, however, the UFU is officially calling for Mr Muir to step down, along with DAERA’s permanent secretary and CVO Mr Dooher, the former manager of Tyrone’s Gaelic Football team who was appointed as chief veterinary officer in 2024.
More than 50 cattle were shot in the fields of a farm in Co Tyrone 
Brian Dooher (left) in action with the Tyrone Gaelic football team
He was part of the Tyrone senior squad in 2003, 2005 and 2008 when they lifted the Sam Maguire after All-Ireland final wins, and captained the side between 2004 and 2011.
The UFU, which represents over 12,500 farmers in Northern Ireland, said on Friday that a previous vote of no confidence in DAERA, held last year, has now been extended to Minister Muir, Ms Godfrey and Mr Dooher.
Minister Muir stressed on Friday in response to the UFU announcement that the cull “was neither authorised nor directed by me”, but he ordered the external review “because the public deserves clear answers”.
The UFU said it has no confidence in the independence of the review of the cull announced, which will be led by the Republic’s former Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake.
The minister has said the external review will provide an “evidence-based assessment” of the planning and carrying out of the cull that took place on June 29 and 30.
A total of 51 cows were shot dead as horrified members of the public watched, which happened after a court order was issued confiscating the cattle from an owner convicted of animal welfare offences.
One disturbed onlooker described the slaughter as “the most disgusting thing I ever witnessed”.
UFU president John McLenaghan said the union’s decision to call for the resignations was “not taken lightly”.
“However, confidence has been severely damaged and the most recent event is just one of many instances where farmers feel that the Department has lost touch with farmers,” he said.
“Serious concerns have been raised regarding the independence of the review, its terms of reference and lack of specialist panel appointed. In the view of our union, the process as it currently stands does not provide the level of independence and confidence that farmers deserve.”
He added: “The UFU’s position is clear. We no longer have confidence that the Department can deliver.”
However, responding on Friday, Mr Muir told reporters people need to “wise up and calm down” over the issue.
“I have received six online death threats, I have also been assaulted , staff in the department are being threatened – this is wrong,” he said.
The minister did not state the UFU itself was behind any alleged threats or assaults.
“Let me be clear, the days of the UFU deciding government policy are over,” he continued.
“The UFU is a lobbying organisation, and I’m going to continue the job of work that I have got to do, and I’m not going to be beholden to any single organisation or vested interest.”
He continued: “We have serious challenges within agriculture and I’m the first minister in the history of this state to face up to this after decades of neglect, where the UFU led us to a lot of problems that I’m seeking to fix.”
Saying the UFU “doesn’t speak for everyone, he added: ”To name and target officials within my department is entirely inappropriate and I would urge the UFU to apologise for what they have done.”
A DAERA spokesperson said: “The Department’s door will remain open to engage with all including the UFU.”