ICSA president Sean McNamara has called for an independent investigation into the Department of Agriculture's recent enforcement operations in which a large number of cattle were destroyed. "The footage that has since emerged has left many farmers shocked and looking for answers. The court case will take its own course and ICSA is not going to prejudice that process. But what is now in the public domain has raised serious questions about how this operation was planned and carried out, and those questions cannot simply be brushed aside," he said.

Continuing, Mr McNamara said, "Nobody disputes that the Department has the authority to intervene where animal welfare is at risk. Farmers understand that. But having those powers also brings a responsibility to use them in a way that stands up to scrutiny and meets the highest standards of animal welfare.

 The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requires that animals be protected from unnecessary suffering. Those principles apply during enforcement operations just as they do in any other circumstances. Farmers dedicate their lives to caring for their livestock, and they expect the same commitment to animal welfare from everyone involved when animals are taken into State control. What people have seen over recent days has seriously shaken confidence.”

 He said, “There now needs to be an independent investigation into this operation. Farmers want to know who made the decisions, whether the Department's own procedures were followed, whether every reasonable option was considered before the decision was taken to euthanise the animals, and whether the operation was carried out the way it should have been. If mistakes were made, they need to be admitted and put right. Ignoring those questions helps nobody.

 Given the public concern that has arisen, Minister Heydon should now say whether he is satisfied that this operation met the standards expected by his Department, and whether he believes an independent investigation is now warranted."

 Concluding, Mr McNamara said, "This is bigger than one individual case. Every farmer in the country needs to know that when the Department exercises these powers, it does so properly. That is why an independent investigation is now essential."