When 52-year-old presenter Tom Heap visited a farm animal sanctuary in Worcestershire it wasn’t long before Countryfile viewers were angry with the topic at hand.
The BBC rural affairs correspondent was meeting with Animal Equality’s executive director Dr Toni Shephard to discuss the ethics of the group’s methods.
Tom revealed that while some of their methods were peaceful they also stage protests, and go onto farms without permission before posting footage on the internet of the conditions.
Insisting that the group’s vision is “a world where all animals are respected and protected,” Toni admitted that the focus is on ending cruelty to farmed animals.
“Certainly these conditions are a lot better,” she said of the farm. “Ultimately, the best way to spare animals from suffering is simply not to eat them.”
Keen to defend her company’s controversial methods, the Doctor went on to share: “It’s always just to show exactly what we find, so simply just opening the door and filming what is happening there.
“Most consumers really don’t know that most pigs are fattened indoors on barren slatted floors with very little enrichment.
“They don’t know that half the hens used for egg production in Britain are still inside cages in windowless barns, so it’s letting them know exactly how their food is produced so they can make an informed choice.”
However the BBC show’s presenter also revealed that many farmers’ lives are threatened as a result of the intrusion and subsequent “bullying” on social media.
In response, Toni assured that trespass is a “civil offence not a criminal offence,” and Animal Equality have never had a farmer press charges.
Outraged at the segment, viewers took Twitter to discuss the issue.
One person wrote: “Why is #countryfile giving air time to so-called ‘animal-rights activists’ who make the lives of farmers trying to meet the demand for products & make an income for their families hell. There is a massive difference between animal rights & welfare.”
“That Toni Shepard is certainly ‘holier than thou’ and of course nothing she or her organisation is wrong in any way #countryfile,” another said.
A third posted: “#countryfile it’s such a shame you chose to link veganism with direct action on farms and animal welfare.
“Both are a concern to vegetarians and vegans but you misrepresent their lifestyles by highlighting this action.”
While a fourth questioned: “Was there a warning before showing some of the footage? #countryfile,” followed by: “#countryfile vegan political party broadcast…..turned over.”
Not everyone felt the same, as one viewer claimed: “#countryfile If everyone knew how animals are misused – i.e. how long a cow’s normal life is, if it isn’t used for milk.
“And that farming is one of the most polluting industries (think methane & think rivers), people might think more carefully about using them for food!”
“This programme is so against animal welfare, supports hunting and factory farming, defends badger slaughter and insults those who are against these practices. #countryfile,” another disappointed person added.
Countryfile continues Sunday at 7pm on BBC One.
