Tim Bonner has written for the Farmers Guardian to outline his strong concerns with the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural society, after they permitted use of their land for the Vegan-camp-out.
Tim writes "On the face of it, the Vegan Camp-Out appears to be a place for like-minded people to meet up and chomp on tofu. Under normal circumstances this is something no reasonable person could object to, but dig a little deeper, beyond the colourful Instagram updates, and you have a much more sinister affair."
"Central to the whole event is the promotion of activism and campaigning against traditional livestock farming.
The Vegan Camp-Out is as much about destroying other people's way of life as it is about celebrating the vegan lifestyle."
He goes on to say "The line-up of speakers in recent years should have been enough to prove that the showground was a completely inappropriate location for such a meeting.
Speakers included Ronnie Lee, a convicted animal rights extremist, that founded the Animal Liberation Front; a violent organisation that inflicts terror on farmers.
Anti-dairy farmer preacher Erin Janus as well as James Aspey, who's nauseating rants include comparing farming practises to rape and the holocaust."
And he makes it clear " I am in no doubt that the Agricultural Society cares deeply about farmers, but permitting this event, knowing full well the dubious line up of speakers and planned activity causes one to seriously cast doubt over its judgment.
The Society proudly claim to be 'apolitical', but this gathering is far from neutral and brings the ground into disrepute. Plans are underway for the same event to be held next year.
I seriously hope the Society reconsider whether allowing it to take place on their grounds, if in keeping with their own honourable objectives."