The Ulster Farmers Union has called for the immediate resignation of leading DAERA figures, including the north’s chief veterinary officer and former GAA triple All-Ireland winner Brian Dooher, over the mass shooting of over 50 cows in Co Tyrone.
The call has been made following an emergency meeting of the union’s executive committee on Thursday evening.
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 DAREA minister Andrew Muir to step down.
That demonstration was attended by hundreds of farmers, while inside Minister Muir gave evidence on the incident to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
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 Katrina Godfrey and Mr Dooher.
Mr Dooher, the former manager of Tyrone’s Gaelic Football team, 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.
The decision followed the UFU concluding it has no confidence in the review of the cull announced by the minister, which will be led by the Republic’s former Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake.
The minister has said the independent 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.
“Independence cannot just be simply stated, it must be evident in how a review is established, who conducts it, what they are empowered to investigate and whether they are able to follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
He added: “The UFU’s position is clear. We no longer have confidence that the Department can deliver.”
The UFU will continue to press for an independent, transparent, and public review of the Fivemiletown operation.
A DAERA spokesperson said in response to the UFU’s announcement that there are “many strategic issues and challenges for agriculture”.
“It is vital we face up to those challenges together to restore our environment and ensure a sustainable future for agriculture,” they said.
“The Department’s door will remain open to engage with all including the UFU.”