Jeremy Clarkson has expressed his strong disapproval of UK school dinners after it was revealed that children are being served chicken imported from China. The well-known television presenter, famous for hosting motoring shows such as Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May, has recently turned his focus to farming through his popular Amazon Prime documentary series Clarkson’s Farm. The show, which follows Clarkson’s journey running Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has been widely praised for its unique blend of humor and insight into the challenges of farming.
With four successful seasons already under its belt, the show’s fifth season was completed in September 2025 and is set to be released later this year. Clarkson’s Farm is known for its portrayal of Clarkson’s efforts to manage a farm and a pub, highlighting the difficulties he faces while running a business that prioritizes local and sustainable products. The Farmer’s Dog pub, which opened in August 2024, is famous for serving only British produce, including food and drink sourced entirely from local suppliers.
It is this commitment to supporting British agriculture and sustainable farming that has sparked Clarkson’s latest criticism—this time directed at the practice of importing meat from China to be served in schools across the UK. Writing in his latest column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson expressed disbelief at the fact that chicken is being shipped from as far as Chiang Mai, Thailand, to Welsh schools. He questioned the logic behind importing chicken from such a distant location, pointing out the absurdity of it being cheaper than locally-sourced meat from British farms.
“How is it possible to ship a chicken all the way from Chiang Mai to Bridgend, and for it to arrive with a lower price tag than a chicken reared in some vowel-less village two miles down the road?” Clarkson wrote. His sharp critique is rooted in his belief that local, British-sourced produce should be a priority, especially when it comes to food served to children in schools.
Clarkson, who has made no secret of his views on supporting British farming and food production, urged readers to pay attention to the Red Tractor symbol when shopping for food. The Red Tractor logo, he explained, is an indicator that the food has been sourced from British farms and adheres to strict regulations regarding safety, quality, and animal welfare. He emphasized that the symbol represents a commitment to responsible farming practices and high standards of food safety, ensuring that products are free from disease and animal cruelty.
Despite his call for more transparency and accountability in food sourcing, Clarkson also criticized the government for its lack of action on the issue. He claimed that the UK government has failed to intervene to stop the import of food from farms that do not meet the same rigorous standards as British farms. “The government won’t do anything to stop the import of food from farms that are riddled with disease and animal cruelty,” he wrote. Clarkson added that while the government remains silent on this matter, consumers can still make a difference by checking for the Red Tractor symbol when they shop for groceries.
This latest outburst from Clarkson adds to his growing reputation as a vocal advocate for British farming and local produce. His views on food sourcing are not limited to his personal ventures like Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog pub; they extend to his broader message about the importance of supporting local farmers and sustainable food production. As he continues to use his platform to raise awareness about these issues, Clarkson’s critique of the UK school dinner system serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing quality, locally-sourced food for both the environment and the health of the nation.
