The committee heard that authorities had worked with farmers since 2022, carrying out “numerous” inspections of the farm.
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the inspections uncovered “grotesque” conditions in which “many animals were subjected to unnecessary suffering”, resulting in a livestock deprivation order.
“The order legally required the individual to be deprived of livestock.
“The department had no choice.
“My officials therefore took the necessary steps to meet this legal obligation.”
During the grace period, 21 animals were removed. However, officials later found that 51 animals remained on the farm.
Authorities said the animals in two areas of the farm had been culled by 1:30 p.m. on June 29.
Slaughter operations in the final area were halted after a local farmer offered to purchase some of the remaining cattle.
The cattle could not be captured, however, and escaped onto a nearby road.
The animals were eventually herded back onto the farm, where a veterinarian recommended that they be shot.
The final remaining animal was culled on June 30.
Its carcass was removed later that same day.
Questions have been raised about the quantity of weapons and ammunition used, as well as the decision to carry out on-site slaughter as the method of livestock disposal.
Deputy Chief Veterinarian Gemma Daly described the cow as “semi-feral” and said officials had long been concerned about handling it without causing stress or risking injury.
Senior Chief Veterinary Officer Elsie McGarvey said the department could have been “technically” in breach of the court order if it extended the grace period.
She said about half of the animals were unsuitable for the food chain, while others were too young.
Ms McGarvey added that authorities were “always prepared” for the farmer to be disqualified and “knew” that removing the livestock would create “serious problems”.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk