BBC Countryfile viewers outraged as host sheds light on 'disgusting' issue

Countryfile viewers issued the same complaint as host Datshiane Navanayagam shared a "really sad" revelation on Sunday (April 27).

In the latest episode of the beloved programme, presenters Margherita Taylor and Joe Crowley ventured into the Forest of Bowland to indulge in the sensory delights of spring.

Later on in the programme, Datshiane explored the increase in fly tipping across the countryside, speaking to several farmers about their negative experiences.

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Margherita introduced the segment by saying, "Fly tipping is unfortunately something we see far too often in our countryside and last year, the overall number of incidents soared."

"But that doesn't reflect the true impact of illegal rubbish dumping on some rural communities, with the clear up thought to be costing farmers and councils millions," she added, before passing the baton to Datshiane for her report.

"Fly tipping is getting worse. The latest government statistics show there were over 1.15 million fly tipping incidents in 2023 and 2024 in England alone," Datshiane explained, reports .

"That's up 6% on the previous year. The same figures show a rise in fly tipping on farms of nearly 2%."

However, she pointed out that the full extent of the issue remains obscured. The government has acknowledged that most instances of fly tipping on agricultural and private lands go unreported, suggesting that the real number of cases could be significantly higher.

Datshiane then spoke with cereal farmer Evie Hunter, who shockingly disclosed that last month, she discovered more than 40 tonnes of waste illegally discarded in her field.

"We had sinks, doors, toilets, showers, food waste, everything," Evie revealed.

"[I felt] disrespected, angry, it feels like farmers are being hit from all angles at the minute and when something like this happens, it's all too much."

There was an immediate reaction on X (formerly ) as viewers vented their concern over the problem, with one user commenting: "Fly tipping is disgusting and sad for the wildlife."

Another added: "Really sad that people dump rubbish in the Countryside, bad enough in cities like London etc," while a third viewer lamented: "This is a huge problem."

A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: "Typical. Blame and criminalise the farmers for burying fly-tipping waste instead of acknowledging why they're forced to do this."

Countryfile is available to stream on BBC iPlayer