Former NFU county chairman Richard Haddock found dead

Well-known Devonshire farmer and former NFU county chairman Richard Haddock has died, two days after he admitted allowing waste to be illegally dumped on his farm.

The police have confirmed that Mr Haddock was found at his farm in the Churston area of Brixham, Devon, on Sunday 25 June.

The 66-year-old had appeared in Exeter Crown Court the previous Friday, where he admitted six environmental offences relating to the illegal disposal of waste in fields at Churston Court Farm between 2010 and 2020.

He was due to be sentenced at the end of July.

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Mr Haddock was a well-known figure with forthright views, having risen to prominence as a leader of the national fuel strikes in 2000.

He was also an ex-Torbay Council councillor and more recently chairman of Brixham Town Council.

The NFU expressed its sadness at the news. “Richard was well known to many of us in the South West and throughout the industry for his campaigning work on behalf of farmers and growers,” said president Minette Batters.

“He served in a number of high-profile NFU positions, including county chairman in 1999, and South West regional board chairman in 2006/7. He was also chairman of the regional livestock board and NFU national livestock board chairman in the early 2000s.

“On behalf of the NFU and its members, I offer our condolences to Richard’s wife, Caroline, and all his family and friends at this very sad time.”

A police spokesman said: “This death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”