Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: Re: Bobby Waugh

Originally from: MargotM

I assume none of you listened to 'Farming Today' for a rather more clear-headed view of what an objectionable character Waugh truly is? He was not charged with either starting or spreading FMD, but of failing to notify that his animals were infected with the virus. He was further charged with feeding untreated swill, but by far the most serious charge was that of cruelty to his animals.

If you were to remove the whole foot and mouth issue from the eqution would you seriously be happy defending the rights of a man with a proven record of abuse of the animals supposedly in his care? Personally I think these attempts to deify him are nothing short of disgraceful and his attempt to cynically sidestep the Court's ruling by attending Darlington Market and elsewhere (under whatever guise he was purporting to be operating) contemptible. far from the Sunday Mirror journalist overstepping the mark, he has actually acted in the public interest since I understand Trading Standards are now investigating whether or not Waugh can be banned from such attendances, something they would not have been aware of without this investigation.

Author wrote:
Hi Jane, message to Bill for the message board
Bill,
Your enthusiasm for knowledge is greatly appreciated! But I'm writing
the book and cannot answer every question that everybody wishes to know :-)
I haven't got the available time as I also write material for various long-established
contacts. I'm inundated with requests from press, TV, radio and interested
parties such as yourself – from all over the world, not just the UK.
But "rubbish" means, paper, cardboard boxes, plastic, etc. Friends, neighbours
and contacts brought that kind of material from time to time. Bobby had
an officially approved "burning-tank" for disposal of animal remains.
This therefore necessitated a regular supply of wood, cardboard, paper, etc.
Bill, I'll get Jane to send you an autographed copy of the book! Shouldn't
have put that – Jane will want one too!
Best wishes
Bruce
Author wrote:
Author wrote:
Jane,
Who is Bruce Jobson?
Bruce Jobson is a farmer and author/journalist. He is currently writing
a book concerning the recent FMD epidemic which I understand will be titled
'Waughtergate'.
He also attended the trial of Bobby Waugh and sent daily reports which can
be found on the 'News' page of Farmtalking.org
Did he or did he not say "1) The waste-heap had rubbish, wood,
paper, boxes,
etc, everything, literally being dumped onto it. It was a permanently
smouldering ash-heap with bones, cutlery and crockery also present. Other
people also brought rubbish onto the premises for disposal"
"smouldering ash-heap with bones"
Yes he did say this. However, I do not think there is anything particularly
unusual in this statement. Many farms have semi-permanent bonfires on their
premises. I imagine there may have been some arrangement agreed with Bobby
Waugh and others, if they were also allowed to burn rubbish on the
site as well.
"Other people also brought rubbish onto the premises for disposal"
Did the rubbish for disposal include bones, carcasses or offal?
I'm afraid I don't know if that was the case.
Is this perhaps where the Government got the idea of using funeral pyres
instead of much safer burial?
Certainly not! The Government had thought of that long before FMD was confirmed
at Heddon on the Wall. They have admitted making enquiries for the supply
of timber etc in 2000 as part of their 'contingency planning'. Jane