Ms Lockhart has welcomed the Minster’s confirmation that an external review is set to take place, but is seeking assurances and validity that it will be transparent and totally independent.

She said: “Minister Andrew Muir has a very serious issue on his hands, and a lot of important questions remain unanswered. We don’t need a review to know that what happened is very alarming and wrong.

“This situation cannot be resolved through carefully worded statements or a ‘lesson learned’ internal review. We need a full, truly independent public inquiry into what happened, who authorised it, how it was allowed to happen and who must ultimately be held accountable.

“I have written to DAERA requesting the terms of reference for the review, and also seeking a meeting with Minister Andrew Muir and senior officials Katrina Godfrey, permanent secretary, and chief vet Brian Dooher.”

The Upper Bann MP added: “It is crucial that this review is dealt with urgently and independently. This has turned the public spotlight on Northern Ireland agriculture for all the wrong reasons, and could potentially have wider and deeply damaging repercussions for the entire agri-food sector.”

Thousands of people across Northern Ireland and further afield, have watched with disbelief the deeply upsetting scenes that have emerged in the press and on social media.

Carla Lockhart MP explained: "It has been publicly reported that 51 cattle were destroyed by shooting during the execution of a court order. I fully recognise that court orders must be enforced, and that is not the issue. The real question is where and how this operation was carried out.

"The footage and eyewitness accounts that have emerged since the incident, have left many people shocked, distressed and deeply concerned. Witnesses have described scenes “like the Wild West”, with reports of cattle being chased around fields before being shot while members of the public, including children, looked on.

“These accounts raise very serious questions about breaches of animal welfare, health and safety, and professional conduct regulations, and whether the operation was carried out in a manner the public would reasonably expect from a government department.

She added: “Clarification is also sought as to why the PSNI were ‘unable to respond’ to reports of gunfire in the area, lasting almost twelve hours.”

Ms Lockhart said: "Over recent days I have attended a number of events across Northern Ireland, and without exception this has been the dominant topic of conversation. The words I heard repeatedly were furious, sickened, appalled and horrified. The strength of public feeling is unlike anything I have witnessed for a very long time.

"Farmers and members of the public simply cannot comprehend what has taken place in a quiet rural area. There is a widespread belief that if any individual or private organisation had carried out an operation in this manner, they would now be the subject of a major investigation. There cannot be one rule for the public and another for a government department.”

Carla Lockhart continued: "People are demanding honesty, accountability and full transparency. They want to know who authorised this operation, why these methods were used, whether alternative options were properly considered and what safeguards will now be put in place to ensure nothing like this will ever happen again.

"I do not believe this is the standard of professionalism that Northern Ireland's farmers should expect from DAERA. Confidence in the department has been badly damaged by the way this operation has been handled.”

The MP acknowledged the work of her DUP colleagues, Deborah Erskine MLA and local councillor Mark Robinson, who have been on the ground, raising the issue with DAERA, and ensuring the concerns of local people have been heard loud and clear.

Ms Lockhart has also welcomed news that DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen has helped to secure an extraordinary meeting of the Stormont AERA Committee, due to take place next week (Monday, 10^th August).



Concluding, Ms Lockhart said: "Northern Ireland's farmers deserve a department that portrays professionalism, sound judgement, compassion and common sense. Right now, confidence has been badly shaken. It is now up to Minister Andrew Muir and DAERA to provide the answers the public deserve, restore confidence in the department and ensure that this catastrophe is never repeated."