She said: “Ten weeks have passed since officials executed an operation to comply with a court Deprivation Order giving DAERA the authority to remove or dispose of the livestock. Yet, despite the enormous public anger and distress generated by what happened on that fateful day, fundamental questions remain unanswered.”

Ms Lockhart added: “This is an issue that simply will not go away. In fact, the Department’s silence on this matter is deafening!

“Farmers and the public deserve full transparency, and those responsible must be held to account. There is no hiding place.

“The message from the farming community during last month’s protest at Stormont was very clear - Minister Muir must go! The Ulster Farmers’ Union’s has reinforced that message with vote of no confidence in the Minister and DAERA’s senior leadership.

“When Stormont returns next week, my DUP colleagues will table a motion of no confidence in Andrew Muir, giving all 90 MLAs the opportunity to make their position known.”

Carla Lockhart MP said: “There are reports that DAERA has denied multiple Freedom of Information requests about the controversial cattle cull, following what it describes as a ‘public interest test’ carried out by officials.

“The Minister simply cannot drag his heels on this issue. The Stormont Agriculture Committee’s extraordinary meeting failed to provide detailed answers. In fact, it further demonstrated just how many very serious questions still remain.

Unanswered questions about risk assessments, alternative options of disposal, why were the cattle culled, who made the decisions, how many shots were fired, did the operation comply with animal welfare and firearms legislation? The list is endless.

“These are not minor details. They go to the very heart of what happened at Fivemiletown.”

Ms Lockhart has also renewed her criticism of Minister Muir’s decision to proceed with a single-person review led by former Republic of Ireland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake.

She said: “I have been very clear that I am not questioning Dr Martin Blake’s personal integrity, professionalism or considerable veterinary expertise.

“My concern is the process established by the Minister. Given the gravity of what happened, the review must meet the highest possible threshold of independence - both actual and perceived.”

The MP continued: “There is strong opinion that an independent panel review would be more appropriate, providing a range of professional disciplines, including animal welfare, veterinary, firearms and legal expertise, alongside practical farming knowledge.

“A panel provides balance. It allows evidence and decisions from one discipline to be properly tested by experts from another.

“Public confidence in DAERA is already at an all-time low, and Minister Muir’s refusal to listen to legitimate concerns about the review has been heavily criticised.”

The Upper Bann MP said farmers are expected to meet exacting standards of accountability and transparency. It is fair to expect the same from a government department.

“This issue is not going away and the truth cannot be brushed under the carpet,” she stressed.

“Farmers and members of the public deserve credible, factual answers and genuine accountability. A ‘lessons learned’ report will not suffice.

“Minister Muir and his officials must start answering the questions that have been put to them.”

Ms Lockhart’s comments come as the deadline for submitting relevant information for the Fivemiletown review is 15^th September 2026 at 4pm. Dr Martin Blake’s dedicated mailbox is Independent.review2026@gmail.com.



Carla Lockhart MP is urging anyone with relevant information, or who witnessed events surrounding the DAERA operation carried out on 29^th and 30^th June 2026, to ensure it is submitted on or before the deadline.