The cattle were destroyed under a court deprivation order after their keeper was disqualified from keeping animals following animal welfare offences. Farmers protested outside Stormont as MLAs examined the controversial cattle cull (Image: Farmers For Action)“I feel the farming community needs to stand up against it,” he said. Senior principal veterinary Officer Elsie McGarvey told the committee that officials had to make decisions based on animal welfare rather than public opinion. Mr Muir also condemned what he described as 'misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic' abuse directed at him and DAERA officials. The focus now turns to the external review and whether it will provide the independent scrutiny and answers being demanded by farmers and political representatives.