Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: Re: Bobby Waugh

Originally from: Farmtalking

I have just recived the following message from Bruce for Margot –

Margot,
Try harder :-) Farming Today phoned two days ago about the story. I've also heard it today. And I revealed part of what had happened last Saturday. Farmtalking broke the story first. TV networks, radio and newspapers have also made contact this week and the story is more complex than you think, and even these media-outlets will not present all the facts involved. For legal reasons, I haven't either.

However, Darlington Mart is not an "auction mart" on a Wednesday. It's a "collection centre". There is no buying or selling, animals from various locations are delivered and then transported to their destination. Farmers book their own animals into the mart. Farming Today mentioned that Bobby Waugh was acting as an "agent". I would suggest that comment is incorrect. No money changes hands, Cheale Meat set the price and Cheale Meats pay Darlington Mart. And the Mart pays the farmers.

The terms of Bobby's sentence do not appear to restrict his being able to visit a mart, lean on a gate, see his friends, go to a horse-race, attend the Royal Show or even attend the National Pig Fair. The judge made the rulings, not me, you, Mick King, or a leading newspaper. I don't know if such a ruling can even be imposed as this may be impossible under British and EU Law. But, if you have a complaint about the terms of the sentence, write to the Judge:-)

Unfortunately, Jane, I'm not in a position to comment any further. And I hope that everyone appreciates the reasons.

Best wishes
Bruce

Author wrote:
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