Jeremy Clarkson Blasts ‘Anti-Farming’ Government as Diddly Squat Prepares to Host Landmark Cereals Event

Jeremy Clarkson has launched a fierce attack on what he describes as an “actively anti-farming” government, warning that UK agriculture is being pushed to breaking point by policies made by people who “do not understand farming at all.” Despite the mounting pressure, the broadcaster-turned-farmer has vowed he will not walk away from the land, insisting that unity and collaboration offer farmers their best chance of survival.

Speaking during the recording of a recent Cereals podcast, sponsored by Premium Crops, Clarkson said the current political climate has made life “absolute hell” for farmers across the country. His comments come ahead of a pivotal moment for the agricultural sector, as the 2026 Cereals Event is set to take place at his Oxfordshire-based Diddly Squat Farm on 10 and 11 June.

“We have an actively anti-farming government who are making things extremely tricky for us all,” Clarkson said. “I’m genuinely really cross, because there’s no-one in government who understands farming.”

The Cereals Event, one of the UK’s largest arable farming gatherings, is expected to attract around 25,000 farmers, agronomists, and contractors, alongside more than 550 exhibitors. Exclusively aimed at the farming community, the event will transform Diddly Squat Farm into a national hub for discussion, innovation, and collective action.

Clarkson believes the event could mark a turning point for a sector struggling under rising costs, unpredictable weather, and diminishing confidence.

“We have got to get together and do something about this government,” he said. “That’s why I’m looking forward to Cereals. It gives us a chance to share ideas. Events like this are crucial—this is where solutions come from.”

Joining Clarkson on the podcast, Charlie Ireland echoed those concerns, stressing that the crisis of confidence extends beyond agriculture into the wider business community.

“It’s not only a challenge for farmers right now; it’s a challenge for all businesses,” Ireland said. “Nobody has confidence to invest in the future, and without that confidence, nothing moves forward.”

Ireland said the Cereals Event aims to inject energy and optimism back into the industry at a time when many farmers feel overwhelmed.

“Burying your head in the sand is never the right thing to do,” he added. “Cereals is about proactive decision-making. It’s about collaboration, sharing ideas, and finding ways through extremely tough conditions.”

Both men also reflected on the relentless hardships farmers face, from volatile markets to increasingly erratic weather patterns. Clarkson revealed that Diddly Squat Farm has endured five turbulent years, noting wryly that the only successful harvest during that period came when television cameras were absent.

“The last five years have just been nuts,” Clarkson said. “We’ve gone from one extreme to the other with the weather. The only good harvest we’ve had was the one year we weren’t filming.”

Beyond economics and policy, Clarkson highlighted the emotional toll farming takes on those working the land. He described farming as an isolating profession, particularly for individuals facing financial losses with little external support.

“We joke about it, but farming is a lonely existence,” he said. “You’ve got one man losing money, fighting a government that seems to actively not like farming. The despair they feel must be tremendous.”

He added that many farmers are now forced to worry not only about surviving the current year but also about how they will afford seed and fertiliser for the next—often facing those decisions alone.

“Events like Cereals are hugely important,” Clarkson said. “They help farmers come together, overcome isolation, and realise they’re not on their own.”

Despite acknowledging that he could realistically step away from farming if he chose to, Clarkson was adamant he would not abandon the sector.

“I’m very lucky—I’m surrounded by people all day, and I could walk away,” he said. “But I will not walk away.”

The 2026 Cereals Event promises a packed programme, including an Agronomy Zone, the Seed to Shelf Stage sponsored by KWS, the BASE-UK Regenerative Agriculture Stage supported by Tees Law, a Young Farmers Programme backed by Michelmores, and the Syngenta & CropLife Sprays & Sprayers Arena.

New for 2026 will be a dedicated Livestock Zone sponsored by Nofence, alongside an expanded Crop Protection & Nutrition area, which will also feature Organic Agronomy. Working demonstrations, technical showcases, and networking opportunities are expected to play a central role.

Visitors will also be able to socialise in a range of informal networking spaces, including stands from the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, Hawkstone Bars, The Farmer’s Dog, and more. Signature attractions will include Jeremy’s Hops and Harmony Bar, Kaleb’s Korner, and Gerald’s Gin Joint featuring Hawkstone Gin.

Farmers can now register for tickets, while eligible trade exhibitors can enquire online. For Clarkson and many others, Cereals 2026 represents more than an industry event—it is a statement of resilience from a sector refusing to be silenced.