Chris Packham has labelled Jeremy Clarkson an "agitator" in a fresh salvo of their ongoing feud over farming practices. The Springwatch presenter made the remark in an interview with The Times, seemingly undeterred by Clarkson's earlier apology.
Background of the Dispute
The tension between the two presenters dates back to when Packham criticised Clarkson's farm on Celebrity Gogglebox. Appearing alongside his stepdaughter Megan McCubbin, Packham said: "Most farms are horrible monocultures, which have been sprayed with deadly chemicals time and time again. The ground is pumped full of fertiliser, and loads of the animals are indoors in crates, being crushed and kept in the dark."
Clarkson responded in one of his newspaper columns, branding Packham's remarks "b******s" and calling him "endlessly angry". Packham later took to Instagram, posting figures on animal welfare, pesticide use, and harm to wildlife habitats, along with the pointed question: "Tell me Jeremy Clarkson, is it really all happy smiley down on the farm?"
Packham's Latest Comments
Despite Clarkson's apology, Packham has now fired another jibe, telling The Times: "I understand what he does, he's an agitator. I respect him for that because it is akin to what I'm trying to do." He elaborated: "I'm trying to promote conversations to maximise the speed of positive change, however uncomfortable that might be for people. My point is that if all farms were like Jeremy Clarkson's, the world would be a better place. But the fact of the matter is they're not. They're used as a front by industrial farming to keep their produce on the shelves."
Public Backlash
Packham has faced criticism on X after sharing a clip of his Gogglebox remarks. One viewer wrote: "Rubbish - there are 1000s of farms just like Clarkson’s. Like any industry, there are a few producers who let the side down. Tarring all farmers with the same brush pisses off good farmers and, worse, misleads the public - which seems to be exactly what you are aiming to do."
Another person said: "Absolutely none of your stats apply to our farm or most of my neighbours. No manmade fertilisers, pesticides, cows and sheep live outside 365 apart from heavy snow cows then come in. You pick the extremes and tar every farm with same brush then wonder why we won't entertain you."
A third alleged: "As someone who regularly inspects poultry units, I can say that your accusations are slanderous and wrong. The units I visited are run by conscientious and humane people who care seriously about the welfare of their livestock. These people work seven days a week and long hours to ensure the welfare of their animals. The poultry units are regularly inspected by welfare bodies and bear no resemblance to the horror show you portray."
