Civil service leaders union the FDA has condemned a call for the permanent secretary of Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to resign in the wake of a controversial cattle cull.
On Friday, the Ulster Farmers’ Union issued a vote of no confidence in DAERA perm sec Katrina Godfrey, chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher, and minister Andrew Muir – urging all three to step down from their roles.
The FDA dismissed the move as a “performative stunt”, but warned that publicly targeting impartial officials for doing their jobs could have long-term negative implications for the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
It is the latest development in the aftermath of a cull of 51 cattle in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, conducted by DAERA officials at the end of June. The shootings, which have been described as unnecessary and inhumane, also prompted threats to departmental staff.
On Wednesday, Muir acknowledged that the cull had been “a particularly complex, sensitive and distressing case, understandably attracting significant attention and concern”. He announced an independent external review that will be conducted by former chief veterinary officer for Ireland Martin Blake.
The UFU said its no-confidence vote reflected members concerns about the review, but said the cull was “just one” of many instances that prompted members to feel that DAERA had “lost touch” with farmers.
“Serious concerns have been raised regarding the independence of the review, its terms of reference and lack of specialist panel appointed,” he said. “In the view of our union, the process as it currently stands does not provide the level of independence and confidence that farmers deserve.”
Robert Murtagh, who is the FDA’s national officer for Northern Ireland, said it was “entirely inappropriate” for the union to seek the resignation of officials who are duty-bound to serve ministers impartially.
“The UFU will be fully aware that officials do not have a right of reply to defend themselves publicly,” he said. “This kind of performative stunt, naming and targeting officials, does not aid understanding and undermines the need for constructive dialogue.”
Murtagh said the UFU’s call risked serving as a disincentive to people considering taking on senior roles to serve ministers and the public.
He added: "The UFU’s action appears also to be seeking to pre-empt and to influence the independent review already now in train. It should be awaiting its findings and recommendations before jumping to respond to voices who do not care about public service or indeed public servants.”
On Tuesday last week, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance – NIPSA for short – said it had received reports of abuse, hostility and intimidation from members at DAERA in the weeks since the Fivemiletown cull.
Senior NIPSA negotiating offical Alan Law said such actions were “entirely unacceptable and inappropriate”.
“Whatever views individuals may hold about departmental decisions, no employee should become the target of personal hostility for simply carrying out their professional responsibilities,” he said.
DAERA management has condemned the abuse directed at staff and affirmed the department's commitment to protecting employee safety and wellbeing.