UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan, on his farm near Garvagh. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is calling for an evidence-based approach to the weeks ahead following the extraordinary meeting with the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee concerning the recent culling of animals by DAERA enforcement officials.
While DAERA is expected to publish the Terms of Reference for an independent review by the end of this week, with the findings anticipated in early autumn the UFU is disappointed these are still not available.
UFU president John McLenaghan said, “It is disappointing that the Terms of Reference for the independent review were not issued ahead of today’s AERA Committee meeting, particularly given the urgency and seriousness of this incident.
“Today’s AERA meeting has seen an unprecedented attendance both inside the committee room and outside and DAERA officials have addressed a number of the concerns surrounding the incident. However, there are differing accounts of the incident and many serious questions will remain unanswered including those around TB testing history and the use of firearms until an external review has been carried out.
“The Minister confirmed today that the Terms of Reference are expected by the end of this week. I am confident that the AERA Committee will scrutinise them thoroughly and satisfy itself that they are demonstrably independent, sufficiently robust and broad enough in scope to fairly address the serious and wide-reaching concerns that have been raised surrounding this incident. The AERA committee have the legal powers to compel witnesses and DAERA to provide evidence and we trust these powers will be used if necessary.”
The Union is also encouraging anyone with relevant information relating to the operation to ensure it is brought forward through the appropriate channels. Individuals with any information that may assist the Assembly’s scrutiny are encouraged to provide it to the AERA Committee.
“The Minister has indicated that the findings of the investigation are expected in early autumn. These findings must be accompanied by clear actions. This is not a standalone event, and the farming community has heard the hollow assurance that ‘lessons will be learned’ before. Lessons mean very little unless they result in meaningful change and accountability.
“This investigation represents a crucial test of DAERA’s credibility. Confidence in the Department has been significantly damaged and restoring it will require complete transparency, full disclosure of the facts and decisive action where mistakes have been made. Anything less risks further undermining trust across the agricultural sector and wider rural community. Where failings are identified, there must be appropriately strong action. Farmers are held to rigorous standards daily and face consequences when those standards are not met. It is only right that the Department is held to the same standard of accountability.”
While there is a significant level of anxiety within the farming community, the UFU is clear that there is no justification for abuse of officials and public representatives.
“We must be very clear that the threats and abuse directed towards officials and political representatives following this incident are completely deplorable and are not reflective of the agricultural industry as a whole,” said Mr McLenaghan.
The UFU have called an emergency meeting of Executive members on Thursday to discuss the outcomes of today’s meeting.
