The background to the implosion in the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society has been exposed with the release of an open letter signed by five senior breed figures.
After weeks of speculation and secrecy over the resignation of two key employees and three elected representatives, five former council members revealed that a small group of members out with the breed’s council had pursued a campaign to discredit and undermine both the society’s former chief executive Johnny Mackey and the communications manager, Chrissie Long.
The letter claims: “This group continually voiced a number of unfounded accusations about their ability to perform their duties. Eventually, despite the continuing support of a majority of council members, Mr Mackey and Ms Long considered their positions untenable and resigned. Having forced these damaging resignations it is not clear to us what is the further agenda of those who forced them out.”
The letter, signed by respected cattle breeders and recent council members Tom Arnott, David Evans, Patricia Glennie, Andrew Elliot and Giles Lane, goes on to claim that undue influence over the breed council is now being wielded by a ‘small unelected group’ and threatens the future of the breed.
It adds: “Council elections take place to allow members, chosen by democratic means, to run the affairs of the society in the best interests of the breed and the wider membership. We are concerned that this is no longer the case in the Aberdeen-Angus Society.”
The revelations are particularly damaging as they come just weeks ahead of the World Angus Forum, a high profile event attracting breed enthusiasts from across the globe to the home of the Aberdeen Angus.
According to the letter’s signatories, the effective removal of the chief executive by those acting without mandate from either the council or the membership, has ‘stalled progress’ to improve the structure of the society and has also put at risk new initiatives which would have helped to re-position the breed in the market place.
The letter also reveals that dissatisfaction within the society is running so high the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association decided earlier this week that is not currently prepared to send representatives to council meetings.
It adds: “The route forward to maintain a unified society is unclear but, going forward, we would hope that the membership will insist that the affairs of society are run by a council within which the majority view prevails, and with the expectation that the elected representatives would act with independence an transparency in the best interests of the breed.”
When contacted, breed president Alex Sanger, of Prettycur Farm, Montrose said he had not seen the letter and was not prepared to comment on its contents.
Senior vice-president Angela McGregor, of Auchinhuive Farm, Whiterashes, Aberdeen, said she was aware of allegations made in the last year and was saddened by the departure of Mr Mackey.
She called on members to pull together and added: “There is a lot of great work being done by our experienced and loyal staff in Perth to develop new opportunities and welcome delegates to the World Angus Forum in June this year.”
