Guilty verdict
Guilty verdict
THE farmer blamed for the start of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has been found guilty of failing to notify the authorities of the disease, feeding unprocessed swill and a number of animal welfare offences.
Bobby Waugh, who farmed at Burnside Farm, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, was found guilty on nine separate charges at Bedlington Magistrates Court on May 30. *
The charges were brought against the Mr Waugh by Northumberland County Council after F&M was found at his rented farm on Feb 23 last year.
Other charges relating to animal movements will be heard at a separate trial, expected to take place in early July.
A spokesman for Mr Waugh said he felt he was being made a scapegoat by the government, and thought it unfair that he had been singled out for blame. Mr Waugh is now considering an appeal.