Jeremy Clarkson says farming had a ‘terrible’ year at Tory conference

Jeremy Clarkson shares his experience of poor crops

Jeremy Clarkson took an unscheduled turn on stage at the Tory gathering in Birmingham on Monday, telling delegates that farming had suffered its worst year in memory.

Appearing alongside land agent Charlie Ireland, as BBC News reported, he said his own farm had barely produced enough to feed its hens this year.

"We worked really hard all year and we ended up with, I think I'm right in saying, three ounces of hen food," Clarkson told the conference.

"It was an absolute disaster on the farming side but, I mean, luckily we've got other projects going on now."

Clarkson credited his television and newspaper earnings with cushioning the blow. Ordinary farmers, he warned, had no such safety net.

Jeremy Clarkson blames 'relentless' pressure on farmers

Clarkson said the squeeze on farmers came from every direction, not just the weather.

"The attacks come from everywhere, whether it's Iran or Ukraine or taxes or energy costs, whatever it might be, it's just relentless," he said.

He also challenged the wider business climate in Britain, asking the general crowd: "Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now?"

Clarkson's role in the farm inheritance tax fight

The broadcaster has backed the Conservatives for years.

He fronted the public campaign against Labour's inheritance tax plan for family farms as former chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled the levy in the party's first budget.

Ministers later watered down that policy.

The change followed farmers' protests and pressure from Labour's own rural MPs.

Is Jeremy Clarkson a Conservative supporter?

Yes. Clarkson has long backed the party.

He led the campaign against Labour's inheritance tax plan for family farms, a policy ministers later scaled back.