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ReferenceRe: Bobby Waugh

Nigel Cannings 03 August 2002 13:06

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        

Author wrote:
I agree entirely with Margot.
Waugh may not be in breach of the strikt terms f his sentence by attending
Darlington market, but I think it reflects very badly on the market
organisers and inturn the farming comunity as a whole that thiey allow this
man to set foot on the premises.
By welcoming Waugh 'back into the fold' in this way we give a clear signal
to the public that farmers don't care about animal welfare and even condone
Waugh's actions'
What was waugh doing at the mart?

As far as I understand the matter, Bobby Waugh has 'farmed' in the area for many years. As a result he has regularly attended markets and shows in much the same way as most farmers do. They are the places where farmers meet each other, very often become friends and enjoy a a chat for a while. Bobby Waugh is no different in this respect but has been found guilty of a crime and is serving his sentence. We like to think that most farmers care very much about the welfare of their livestock, abhor cruelty and consider the verdict in Bobby's case justified but we also know there are others just as guilty as Bobby Waugh who have not recieved such a high media profile.

However, I see no reason why he should not be allowed to attend the marts or local shows to meet with his friends and aquaintances or simply to see what is going on around him in an environment he knows well. After all, he no longer 'farms' but like most 'retired' farmers still takes an interest and visits the mart following the habit of a lifetime. If the Sunday Mirror hadn't decided to 'make up' a story concerning his visit to the mart, none of us would have known.

As mr Jobson is such good friends with him then perhaps he could clarify
this issue.
Was he merely watching the proceedings as a bystander, or was he in anyway
involved in organising the transaction taking place?

As reported by Bruce and published by Farmtalking last week, Bobby Waugh, Cheale Meats and Darlington Mart denied he was involved in any transactions.

You say no one has attempted to 'deify' waugh, yet Jobson has clearly chosen
to act as his apologist.

I think you are mistaken there, as I don't recall Bruce acting as an apologist on behalf of Bobby Waugh at any time, merely reporting the facts of the matter for our information.

This is entirely his own business, but I firmly believe that it would serve
the interests of British farming best to distance ourselves as far as
possible from the odious Mr Waugh.

I can accept that many may feel as you do and wish to distance themselves not only from the likes of Bobby Waugh but from the whole FMD episode. I frequently feel the same way myself!

However, I realise it is only because people such as Bruce Jobson, Roger Windsor, William Neville, Aleyn Addey, Alicia Eykyn, Janet Bailey, Nicola Morris etc, etc, have taken the trouble not to distance themselves but searched out the truth concerning the law, the science, the management and the cost of this epdemic and then been kind enough to share their knowledge with us, that perhaps we can help to ensure that not only will such a disaster not happen again.

The Government's introduction of a licensing system for farmers might do something to ensure the prevention of low standards of animal welfare future? I wonder! – I thought the inspections MAFF/DEFRA carried out at Bobby Waugh's farm were supposed to do that, but obviously failed in this instance!

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