Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has faced detailed questioning at Stormont over the controversial shooting of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone.

In this video, we hear directly from the Minister and senior DAERA officials during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Committee members questioned whether the destruction of the cattle was the only option available, what the court's Deprivation Order actually required, the Department's discretion over how the order was implemented, animal welfare considerations and the firearms operation.

One particularly significant exchange concerned reports that cattle had been chased around fields. A DAERA official told the committee "absolutely not", saying the animals were not being chased and that the Humane Slaughter Team was trained and required to follow protocols. Officials said these matters will now be examined by the independent external review.

The committee also heard that the herd keeper had been given opportunities to sell animals before the operation and questioned DAERA about why the remaining cattle ultimately had to be destroyed.

I'll break down the important moments from the evidence session and explain how they relate to the independent investigation now being led by Dr Martin Blake.

Footage credit: Northern Ireland Assembly TV
Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs — Ministerial Evidence Session: DAERA Cattle Cull in County Tyrone.

What do you make of the answers given to the committee? Let me know below.

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