Countryfile viewers rage and threaten to ‘turn off’ over Adam Henson’s eco-farming segment

COUNTRYFILE viewers raged and threatened to ‘turn off’ over Adam Henson’s eco-farming segment on Sunday. The BBC One show regularly discusses important countryside issues and farmer Adam wanted to know more about carbon footprints and how he could make his farm more eco-friendly. He explained to viewers how the National Farmers Union is hoping to […]

COUNTRYFILE viewers raged and threatened to ‘turn off’ over Adam Henson’s eco-farming segment on Sunday.

The BBC One show regularly discusses important countryside issues and farmer Adam wanted to know more about carbon footprints and how he could make his farm more eco-friendly.

He explained to viewers how the National Farmers Union is hoping to reduce the carbon footprint by 2040.

This would mean he needs to change the way he runs his farm as he added that farmers need carbon to produce food for supermarkets.

Breaking things down, he said a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions on the farm are caused by using fertiliser, before adding that cows also contribute a lot to a farms carbon footprint.

He said: “We’ve only got about 50 cattle on the farm, but globally, the beef and dairy industry produces a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Adam then spoke to Jude Capper, a professor of sustainable beef production, who said cattle contribute a “pretty significant amount of our global greenhouse gas emission”.

She added that a simple way to alter this was to breed the cattle better.

While many found the discussion interesting, others were furious about it, with one writing on Twitter: “Tell you what Adam, we will shut all UK farms and import everything.”

Another added: “#Countryfile doing their usual line in ramming eco-activism down our throats. No thanks, turned off.”

A third tweeted: “It’s not a problem, it’s a natural cycle. Massive decline in cattle numbers results in environmental decline.”

Meanwhile a fellow viewer pondered: “Aren’t we supposed to reduce our food waste though?”

Countryfile airs on Sundays on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.