Last week, Ms Lockhart raised concerns over the Minister’s decision to appoint former Republic of Ireland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake to conduct the review.

She urged the Minister to reconsider the structure of the review and replace the single-person model with an independent, multidisciplinary panel.

Carla Lockhart MP said the Department’s execution of the court Deprivation Order had resulted in enormous public backlash. “The barbaric shooting of 51 cattle has caused unprecedented anger, leading to a raft of unanswered questions.”

She added: “Despite very clear concerns expressed by farmers, industry stakeholders and members of the public, Minister Muir remains ‘blinkered and defiant’ and has chosen to continue with his so-called ‘independent review’ without addressing the fundamental questions surrounding its structure and perceived independence.

“I want to be absolutely clear. I am not questioning Dr Martin Blake’s personal integrity, professionalism or considerable veterinary expertise.

“The Minister has failed to establish a process which meets the very high threshold of independence, both actual and perceived, that is required given the gravity of what happened on his Department’s watch.”

The MP continued: “An independent review of this magnitude must be designed in such a way that there can be no reasonable question over its independence.

“There has been significant anger and public distress following this shambolic and deeply controversial incident. DAERA cannot afford to get the review process wrong!”

The Upper Bann MP said: “Dr Martin Blake has extensive veterinary experience, and that expertise could potentially form one part of a much broader independent panel. But one veterinary professional should not be expected to examine every aspect of what happened.

“Public confidence in DAERA is at an all-time low, and the Minister’s belligerent actions risk inflaming the situation.”

Ms Lockhart said the minimum acceptable response should be a robust, in-depth review carried out by an independent panel with a range of professional expertise in animal welfare, firearms, veterinary and legal disciplines, coupled with practical farming knowledge.

“A panel provides balance. It brings different professional perspectives to the evidence and ensures that decisions reached by one discipline can be properly tested by experts from another field.

“Farmers and members of the public will not accept a ‘lessons learned’ report. This situation cannot be ignored. It demands credible, factual answers and genuine accountability.

“Dr Blake’s professional credentials are not in question. But the appropriateness of asking one former government Chief Veterinary Officer, with longstanding experience within the same professional sphere, to single-handedly review the actions of another government veterinary service most certainly is.”

Ms Lockhart’s criticism comes as DAERA confirmed Dr Blake has established a dedicated mailbox inviting members of the public and external parties to submit information relating to the planning, decision-making and implementation of DAERA’s operation in Fivemiletown on 29 and 30 June 2026.



Carla Lockhart MP is urging witnesses and anyone with relevant, verifiable information to come forward. Information should be submitted via the dedicated email: Independent.review2026@gmail.com. Further details are available on the DAERA website.