DEAR EDITOR,

I refer to the horrific incident at Fivemiletown and the Minister’s comments. He said that no single interest, however powerful or well organised, will be allowed to dictate government policy. Might I remind him that Abraham Lincoln said “there should be government of the people”. Every person in DAERA is a public servant responsible to the public and their representatives.

Most farmers are devoted to the welfare of their animals. DAERA is obliged to be responsible for animal welfare. I struggle to understand how, by any stretch of the imagination, the actions of DAERA on that day were in the interests of animal welfare. The minister then went on to refer to pollution in Lough Neagh. The cull of these cattle has absolutely nothing to do with Lough Neagh. What has Government done to eliminate over 60 outlet pipes into the Lough? What has DAERA done to implement the replacement of septic tanks which only reduce pollution at the outlet by 50%?

ADVERTISEMENT

Most farmers have spent, and continue to spend large sums of money to reduce pollution. If they do not do so then their very livelihood is threatened. The Courts will impose fines. After that in addition the farmer will lose a proportion of any subsidies. But even this is not the end of the matter because they may be subject to Red Tractor sanctions, which can prevent supply of the farmer’s milk to a dairy. Could I ask what other offence has a triple penalty?

It is totally abhorrent that any minister or civil servant should ever receive even the possibility of any physical threat. Such threats cannot be tolerated. Unfortunately, farmers who appear in Court are also subject to threats on many occasions.

What is needed is a complete re-set of the relationship between farmers and DAERA. Twenty-five years ago, there was a complete re-set between the public and the police. A similar process should now be implemented by the Assembly.

The incident at Fivemiletown is only a symptom of an attitude, which thankfully is only that of a small minority of public servants, but it does undermine the dedication and goodwill of the vast majority of those who seek to serve the public. It is in the interests of every party to resolve their differences in the interests of animal welfare.