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A no confidence motion has been tabled against Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir.

It comes after the Alliance politician was criticised last month following controversy over the shooting of 51 cows in June.

The cattle were culled by Mr Muir’s department on land near Fivemiletown following a court order which disqualified the herd owner from keeping animals.

But concern was raised by some political representatives and farmers about the public nature of the incident and questions have been posed about whether all options were exhausted before the cows were shot.

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said the incident at Fivemiletown was “the last straw for many”.

He said his motion, which he tabled on Monday, has already received support from “several parties”.

Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mr Muir said the operation at Fivemiletown was neither authorised nor directed by him, that he has ordered an independent external review and is “committed to full transparency in relation to it”.

“If mistakes have been made by officials, they must be identified and lessons must be learnt,” he said.

Mr Muir also added that he felt much of the reaction in recent weeks is “not around the situation in Fivemiletown”, but that “some people have not wanted me in this position since the day and hour I took it up because I believe in the environment and climate action”.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Buckley urged other parties to back his motion.

He said: “The frustration and anger amongst the agricultural industry was evident when farmers gathered at Stormont last month.

“Events surrounding the cull of cattle near Fivemiletown and how that situation was handled proved to be the last straw for many and any remaining confidence was lost.”

He added: “This is not an issue bound by constitutional or political lines and I would appeal to MLAs from across the Assembly chamber to support this motion.”