The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has welcomed action taken by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to protect staff following the Tyrone cattle cull.

Concerns were raised by the union about the safety and wellbeing of department staff as fallout from the DAERA operation in Fivemiletown continues.

NIPSA said it had received reports from members of abuse, hostility and intimidation, including online harassment.

The union wrote to the department seeking assurances on the protection measures and support available to staff carrying out their official duties.

Staff

Alan Law, a NIPSA senior negotiating official, said "threats, intimidation, harassment or abuse directed towards staff are 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.

"We welcome the clear and robust messages issued by both deputy permanent secretary and permanent secretary, which rightly condemn the abuse directed at staff and reaffirm the department's commitment to protecting employee safety and wellbeing.

"We also welcome the practical measures that have been introduced, including enhanced security arrangements, ongoing risk assessments, monitoring of threats and additional support and guidance for staff and managers," he added.

NIPSA is encouraging any member experiencing threats, intimidation or harassment to report concerns through the appropriate channels and to seek support from their local NIPSA representative.

DAERA

On Monday (August 10), Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir confirmed he had received a death threat over his department's recent cattle cull operation

"The wave of misogynistic, sectarian and homophobic hate, threats and intimidation against both officials and myself is despicable and deeply concerning.

"This is unacceptable at any time and in any department," he said.

Review

Minister Muir has acknowledged the serious concerns raised by farmers, politicians and the public about the DAERA enforcement operation in June during which 51 cattle were shot.

Hundreds of farmers from across Northern Ireland gathered at Stormont on Monday to protest against the enforcement operation.

Many of those at the demonstration called for the minister to resign.

DAERA previously said the operation had been carried out "to execute a Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences".

Minister Muir has ordered an independent external review into the operation, which he said was "a particularly complex, sensitive and distressing case, understandably attracting significant attention and concern".

Dr Martin Blake, former chief veterinary officer (CVO) for Ireland, has been appointed to carry out the review, which is expected to be completed by early autumn.

The review will assess whether the operation was conducted in accordance with the relevant legal framework, departmental procedures and accepted standards of public administration and it will identify lessons to inform future practice.

The findings and recommendations from the review will be published "as soon as possible" upon completion.