First aired in 1988, Countryfile reports on various rural and environmental issues within the United Kingdom. It
is presented primarily by John Craven. The issues which it addresses are generally those within the rural public consciousness
of the UK, such as animal-culling and new methods of agriculture, and as such the nature of the programme is often highly
political, sometimes airing debates between pressure groups.
The programme's format is based to an extent on the input of viewers, and annual photography competitions based on the
beauty of the British countryside are a key part of Countryfile. Another common feature is the Video Diary,
which often documents some aspects of agricultural life in the countryside, filmed and produced by a member of the British
public.
