Agreed... It is amusing, well scripted and makes some important points about the commercial viability of farming in this country..
Without some form of state support arable farming is like playing the lottery, which is why so many farmers have diversified. We know two local farmers well, both are about half the size of Clarkson's farm.
One runs a DIY livery yard with 20 to 30 horses, plus a pheasant shoot. Both are a far more dependable source of income. The other set up a series of coarse fishing lakes and tackle shop, plus a top end B&B in a 16th century farmhouse.
Neither has an easy life, there in't enough money. Both are worried sick about their futures, there is still no clarity as to what will replace the EU farm subsidies. Their worry is that as they employ no direct workers the Government doesn't really care. All farm machinery is hired in as needed from a specialist contractor who manages over 50,000 acres.
If we want the countryside to look as it does State support is needed. Switzerland does this big time, the EU objected as they felt it was excessive. Now we are free of the EU we can make decisions, but the cost will be significant. 10% VAT on all food manufactured from imported materials would do it.
