Countryfile blasted by furious viewers as 'terrible' slaughter scene sparks outrage

Countryfile was slammed by furious viewers as they took to social media with the same complaint.

The latest instalment of the rural programme saw presenters Sean Fletcher and Anita Rani exploring the countryside of West Exmoor, while Adam shared the latest seasonal updates from his farm.

Adam, 58, currently runs the Cotswold Farm Park, the first domestic rare breeds farm open to the public, which his father set up in 1971. Speaking from his farm, Adam updated BBC viewers on the progress of his lambs.

He began: "It only seems like yesterday we were lambing, most of them have already been sold, and it's only the later-born ones that are still on the farm.

"Now, even the youngest ones are old enough to sell and today, Luke, our assistant livestock manager - is finding out which of the remaining lambs are ready to leave the farm."

They went on to discuss how much the lambs needed to weigh in order to be sold. Adam continued: "What we're doing today is just sorting through them, weighing them, and if they're 39 kilos and they've got a good covering of meat, they're fit and ready to go, then they'll go off to the market."

He added: "The others will stay on the farm and graze the grass and just grow on until they're big enough. I'm hoping at least a quarter of this lot will be ready for market, but we can't send any that aren't up to scratch because if they don't make the grade, the price is significantly reduced.

Adam went on: "Some of these lambs are still quite small, and that's not a problem, they were just born later in the year, towards the end of April. Ideally, you want to get your lambs gone as soon as possible so that you can get the money in the bank. It's all about cash flow."

The dad-of-two added: "After a rocky start, we do have quite a few in good condition. But most are going to need a little more grazing before they leave the farm. So while Luke's just finishing up those last few this is what we've got to go."

Viewers felt uncomfortable by the scenes, while Adam's flippant attitude to killing the animals "for market" frustrated others as they flooded X with complaints.

One declared: "To market. Just say off to slaughter," as another responded: "Exactly this. So b****y mealy-mouthed of Adam @BBCCountryfile," followed by an angry face emoji.

A third added: "Adam is obsessed with money," complete with an eye-rolling emoji. Another weighed in: "All he talks about is getting his lambs to market and money in the BANK!"

Someone else remarked: "Is there another reason to raise lambs? I don't like the concept, but it's no good bleating on about it." Another asked: "What does ready to go mean?" to which one replied: "To slaughter."