Countryfile viewers brand BBC 'sadistic' as they slam upsetting scenes on family show

The BBC is under fire from fans, who reckon the latest episode of Countryfile was "sadistic".

The usually wholesome show on BBC 2 has a legion of loyal viewers, who tune in each week for reports on rural, agricultural, and environmental issues. However, on Sunday, fans were quite upset when presenter Tom Heap visited a dairy farm in Welshpool, Wales.

Rocking up on Fraser Jones' "mega farm", the presenter asked the dairy farmer how often his cows saw the sun. In the episode, hundreds of cattle could be seen stationary in the background, each kept to their own pen inside a purpose-built building on the farm.

BBC Countryfile

Tom was quick to ask the farmer: "The cows that are here, do they ever see grass, put a foot in the field?" Astonishingly, Fraser said the cattle are kept to their pens "all year round". Somewhat shellshocked, Tom asked: "Are you happy with that?" Farmer Fraser replied: "I'm very happy with that, it gives us better control. Cows like consistency so they have a specific diet to meet all of their nutritional requirements. They're eating the same everyday which then results in fewer health issues, so basically to me, the welfare here is good."

However, while the cow's welfare may have been good enough for Fraser it wasn't for viewers, who jumped on X, formerly Twitter sharing their concerns. One upset fans said: "Poor cows, they look like they’re in prison… #countryfile." Another echoed: "Completely agree with you. What a sadistic system!"

A third went on to suggest Fraser was "wrong" as they penned: "My eldest does not agree with farms who keep their cows and chickens inside all the time. It's wrong." Elsewhere a fourth viewer insisted: "Keep our cows in fields #countryfile."

Countryfile viewers hit out at the show again last month accusing it of "misleading and biased" coverage regarding badger culling and the contentious topic of bovine tuberculosis.

Countryfile

In a recent BBC programme, presenters Adam Henson and Charlotte Smith took viewers along the scenic Camel Trail in north Cornwall, a route stretching 18 miles from the quaint fishing town of Padstow to the rugged Bodmin Moor.

Charlotte detailed the grim reality facing cattle diagnosed with TB, stating: "Any animals classed as reactors, that's cattle which show a skin lump reaction to the TB antibody, will be destroyed. A single reactor means the whole herd effectively faces a 120-day lockdown. Bovine TB is akin to human tuberculosis." Left untreated, it leads to respiratory issues and can ultimately be fatal."

However, viewers of the show were left furious at the topic and took to their X account to slam the BBC for "advocating" badger culling. One fumed: "#countryfile #stopthecull Blaming our wildlife for farming's problems while you're at it."

"Will they mention that Deer carry TB?" another asked before a third slammed: "The next government needs to #stopthecull. Slaughtering these ancient #animals & review the Tories' bTB policy so that it does actually help."

The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment on this story.

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