DAERA Minister publishes details of independent external review
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has today published details of the review of his department’s implementation of a court Deprivation Order carried out in Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone.
Dr Martin Blake, former Chief Veterinary Officer for Ireland, has been appointed to carry out the review.
Following the appointment, Minister Muir said: “The operation undertaken in Fivemiletown to comply with a Deprivation Order in relation to a herd keeper disqualified from keeping animals was a particularly complex, sensitive and distressing case, understandably attracting significant attention and concern.
“Acknowledging the concerns expressed, the complexities of the case and an ongoing commitment to openness and transparency, I have decided that an independent external review should be carried out. I am confident Dr Blake has the experience and knowledge to lead this exercise.
“The purpose of this review is to provide an independent and evidence-based assessment of my department’s planning, decision-making and implementation of the operation undertaken on 29th and 30th of June 2026.
“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.
“I am determined this review will be thorough but not prolonged, so that any learning can be identified and implemented quickly.”
The findings and recommendations from the review will be published as soon as possible upon completion.
Notes to editors:
- Dr Martin Blake is a veterinary graduate with a postgraduate Master of Business Administration and has held a number of senior leadership roles within the veterinary and animal health sectors. As the former Chief Veterinary Officer of Ireland, and member of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Management Board, he held departmental responsibility for animal health, animal welfare, veterinary public health, and related policy areas. Dr Blake brings significant expertise in policy development, regulation, and regulatory compliance, underpinned by extensive experience in governance oversight and risk assessment. He has also made substantial contributions at international level, serving as a steering group member of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) Animal Welfare Platform for the Europe region. In addition, he was a member and Chair of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. A respected figure within the veterinary profession, Dr Blake is a past member of the Veterinary Council of Ireland and is widely recognised for his leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to advancing animal health, welfare, and public health standards.
- The full terms of reference for the external review into the implementation of the Deprivation Order can be found here: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/terms-reference-independent-external-review
- The review is expected to be completed by early Autumn.
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