Jeremy Clarkson has hit back at a fan who cited Brexit as the reason for the presenter’s current farming struggles.
The Clarkson’s Farm star has faced a tough few weeks after announcing recently that bovine tuberculosis has been detected at his Oxfordshire farm.
He also announced on Friday, August 8, that Diddly Squat Farm was facing another catastrophe, with this year’s weather leading to a “catastrophic” harvest across the nation this year.
Taking to X, he shared the news and emphasised people should be concerned by the trend.
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Jeremy Clarkson’s Oxfordshire farm is facing another catastrophe
“It looks like this year’s harvest will be catastrophic,” he began, adding: “That should be a worry for anyone who eats food.
“If a disaster on this scale had befallen any other industry, there would be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
One sympathetic X follower replied to the post, writing: “Super sad to hear that. One day we might get a government who can help and support the farming industry, instead of penalising it.”
Another took a different view though, responding with a claim that farmers voting for Brexit in 2016 was the root cause of farming struggles.
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Jeremy Clarkson tweet
“The farming industry voted to reduce their subsidies in 2016. bit of an odd thing to go but………flags and …..stuff,” they commented.
Hitting back, Clarkson, 65, penned in response: “You see Ian, that just isn’t true is it.”
The social media user doubled down though, writing: “Are you saying the majority of farmers didn’t vote to lose their subsidies?
“I know a lot didn’t and of course the NFU advised them not too but a majority did.”
Clarkson also replied to a handful of other concerned fans, including one who asked whether or not Diddly Squat would be able to survive if not supported by “other adjacent businesses like the pub and shop”.
The former Grands Tour star wrote back: “Not a cat in hell’s chance.”
After sharing the news about the outbreak on the farm, Clarkson told Times Radio Breakfast how the testing process occurs every six months, but admitted becoming complacent about what seemed a theoretical risk until the veterinarian delivered the positive result.
Bovine tuberculosis represents a devastating threat to farming operations, as infected cattle must be isolated and slaughtered following positive or repeated inconclusive test results.
Getty | Jeremy Clarkson has been documenting his work at Diddly Squat through Clarkson’s Farm
The disease spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when animals breathe in bacteria from infected livestock.
The chronic infection, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, poses risks to both animal welfare and farm productivity whilst triggering severe trade restrictions.
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Jeremy Clarkson replied to the statement to say it was ‘not true’
Wildlife, particularly badgers, can also carry and transmit the disease to cattle herds.