Muir resignation demand is 'not personal' says UFU

Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) President John McLenaghan has clarified that his organization's demand for Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to resign is not a personal attack, despite the union's opposition to Muir due to his stance against the union's vested interests in agriculture. The call for Muir's resignation was made following his department's handling of a controversial cattle cull at a farm in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.

The cull involved 51 cattle, which were shot and killed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) due to the owner's disqualification from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of multiple animal welfare offenses. The UFU expressed concern over the cull, questioning whether all possible alternatives were properly considered before the cattle were killed.

Muir hit back at those calling for his resignation, stating that the days of the UFU dictating government policy are over and that he is the first Northern Ireland First Minister not beholden to any vested interest. He also promised an external independent review of the cull process, led by Dr. Martin Blake, a former Chief Veterinary Officer for Ireland. The review is expected to report by early autumn, examining not only the technical aspects but also the legalities and welfare implications of the cull.