Countryfile viewers slam BBC for ‘pushing an agenda’ with shocking taste test scenes
COUNTRYFILE viewers have slammed the BBC accusing the broadcaster of “pushing an agenda” during its latest episode that featured shocking taste test scenes.
During Sunday’s show, presenter Joe Crowley visited a laboratory in Aberystwyth, Wales, to learn more about a project involving the production of edible insects.
The idea of munching on bugs is not a new one but with the ongoing climate change crisis it is being touted as a way of cutting down carbon emissions and our meat consumption.
However, some Countryfile viewers were left with a bitter taste in their mouths and slammed the BBC for pushing an “agenda” on the much-loved programme that usually promotes farmlife.
Perhaps anticipating backlash, presenter Joe admitted: “Sometimes the search for sustainable food sources leads to the strangest of places – the world of creepy crawlies.
“Over the years there have been attempts to add them into the British diet.”
Professor Alison Kingston-Smith, who was part of one of Europe’s biggest projects on edible insects, explained more about the experiment: “We have been looking at lots of different things to see what they grow best on.
“We give them carrots here but there is a lot of other horticultural waste which could be used.”
During the show, Joe discovered that it takes 800 mealworms to provide the equivalent protein of 100 grams of chicken.
“There are now a variety of bug-based delicacies available in the UK, from deep-fried locusts and salted mealworms to locust flour which can make protein-rich brownies,” he told viewers.
News of the project did not go down well with viewers who rushed to Twitter to share their thoughts and slam the BBC.
One person fumed on Twitter: “#Countryfile pushing the edible insect idea and quoting #climatechange as the justification. No thanks. Not in our kitchen. B****r off.”
“Dear Countryfile. We don’t want to eat insects.How about going back to real farming stuff, rather than your current WEF sponsored agenda?,” added another disgruntled viewer.
A third social media user wrote: “Insects are indigestible to humans due to the chitin in them..Country file has lost the plot …”
“Insects !!! I don’t want to know about them thanks BBC bloody get real this is Countryfile a much loved programme… or it used to be .. if it ain’t broke why fix it ????” blasted a fourth person.
“I see the BBC are pushing their agenda to get us eating insects again. It’s time to defund this corrupt and outdated institution,” remarked another viewer.
While a sixth watcher added: “Really pushing the agenda aren’t they! We can tell who owns them now. We pay them money but don’t own them anymore.”
Recently, Countryfile viewers were left outraged after a farmer revealed how chicken waste was one of the main causes of polluting the river.
Presenter Adam Henson spoke with a farmer during the episode of the BBC show about pollution in the River Wye.