Jeremy Clarkson has told the government to prioritise farming and blasted his local council for blocking plans to diversify on his Oxfordshire farm.
In a video message sent to the government and shared on his Twitter page, the TV presenter-turned-farmer demanded more support for agriculture and farmers who want to diversify.
See also: Johnson’s plans for food and farming attacked as �?half-baked’
Mr Clarkson said: “In the next parliament I would like to see the government prioritising farming. We’ve been asked to diversify and when we try to do that, the local authorities tell us we can’t. That needs addressing.”
I sent this to Number 10 recently. pic.twitter.com/5WHXNwMYIa
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 13, 2022
Prime minister Boris Johnson, who has been out in the countryside promoting the government’s new Food Strategy, was quick to send a direct video response to Mr Clarkson on Twitter.
The prime minister said: “We’re backing British farming by investing in new technology so that we grow and eat more of our fantastic homegrown produce.
“We’re also supporting farmers to unlock the potential of their land and seize new opportunities.”
Hi @JeremyClarkson, we’re backing British farming by investing in new technology so that we grow and eat more of our fantastic homegrown produce.
We’re also supporting farmers to unlock the potential of their land and seize new opportunities. https://t.co/XnJEpOrAeo pic.twitter.com/xYQW3TPUH6
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 13, 2022
Standing in a field and wearing a high-vis jacket, Mr Johnson added: “What we want to do particularly for farmers, and I know that you care about this a lot, is ensure that when farmers want to develop their property, when they want to turn a barn into a bistro or whatever you want to do, we make sure that the computer does not say no.”
Earlier this year, West Oxfordshire District Council declined Mr Clarkson’s plans to open a restaurant at Diddly Squat Farm, Chipping Norton.
This incensed the new farmer, who has become a big ally for the industry and regularly speaks out in support of British farming.
Responding to the prime minister’s pledge to help farmers diversify, Mr Clarkson said: “Excellent news. Let’s hope the district councils and the silly red trouser people now back down. Britain needs food grown in Britain.”
Excellent news. Let’s hope the district councils and the silly red trouser people now back down. Britain needs food grown in Britain. https://t.co/JwtthKSLw8
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 13, 2022
