Clarkson's Farm viewers set up a crowdfund for dairy farmer who lost cattle
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Clarkson's Farm season two has once again given viewers an unbridled look at the reality of the UK farming industry.
And while hundreds of people have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, some have decided to take matters into their own hands by setting up a crowdfunder for a dairy farmer who lost cattle.
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As explored in the much-anticipated return of Jeremy Clarkson's Amazon Prime show, which centres on his Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, there's an unlikely villain that's causing a huge headache right now: badgers.
Yes, tuberculosis-carrying badgers are spreading the disease amongst the country's cow population as they have been protected by law since the 1980s.
These 'evil, vicious b******s', as they're described by Clarkson, have seriously hindered the livelihood of people like Emma, a dairy farmer who lost 50 percent of her cattle to TB and is only able to survive by selling milk and shakes to Clarkson's farm shop.
One viewer named Beccie Poole was so shocked by the situation, she's launched a GoFundMe page in a bid to help.
"Having watched the program Clarkson’s Farm season two, I was appalled by the current situation facing British farmers," she wrote.
"How can our farmers be working all hours for little or no pay in one of the richest countries in the world?
"I was moved by the plight of Emma, a dairy farmer whose cattle were struck down by tuberculosis.
"Please donate if you can and let’s show our gratitude for the work that they do."
At the time of writing, the page has raised £1,423 of its £10,000 goal - if you can contribute, you can do so on this link.
To emphasise how dire the badger issue is, Clarkson previously told LADbible that it's causing farmers to take their own lives.
Episode four of the second season, titled 'Badgering', documents the former Top Gear host's attempts to combat the protected creatures without killing them - a caveat he could do without.
"We found two badger corpses on the on the farm - I mean, there's about 100 badgers live here - we found two, had them both tested and they both had TB," he said.
"So we're living in constant fear that they pass that on to the cows."
Clarkson continued: "When you get cows, the biggest problem you have are badgers, by miles, just off the charts.
"Obviously, you have Brian May and Chris Packham and so on who say, 'Well, they're cuddly little things, and Wind in the Willows, and aren't they lovely?'
"They're not - they're evil, vicious b******s who eviscerate hedgehogs.
"The reason you don't see hedgehogs, they go, 'Well, people aren't looking after them.' Yes they are - badgers are eating them."
And, unable to kill badgers, Clarkson claimed that farmers are subsequently killing themselves.
"Badgers are protected, and badgers give cows TB," he said.
"You'd be amazed how many farmers are dying by suicide. Genuinely, you'd be staggered... When their herds get TB, because that's it, you know, you're locked down."
Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 from 7pm to 11pm every day.
Featured Image Credit: Amazon Prime / Emma Ledbury
Topics: Jeremy Clarkson, TV and Film, Animals, Amazon Prime
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