Farmers block Defra minister’s exit in Tavistock protest

Angry farmers staged a dramatic protest in Tavistock, Devon, blocking the exit of Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner with a line of tractors and farm vehicles.

The protest, organised by the Farmers to Action group, was in response to a series of government policies they claim are detrimental to the farming industry.

Protestors gathered outside the Bedford Hotel, where Mr Zeichner was meeting about 80 Devon farmers, alongside Conservative MP for Torridge and Tavistock Geoffrey Cox, the NFU, including its deputy president David Exwood, and Natural England, to discuss the future of farming on Dartmoor.

See also: Video: Farmers To Action stages ‘Say No to Labour’ protests

Earlier in the day, Mr Zeichner had visited three farms on Dartmoor to speak to farmers about the challenges they face.

The protestors were particularly focused on the planned introduction of farm inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2026, tax increases on fertilisers and double-cab pickups, sweeping cuts to Basic Payment Scheme funding, and the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme to new applicants.

© Farmers to Action

One of the protestors, Jeremy Sanders-Carr, a sheep, beef, and arable farmer, explained the frustration felt by the group.

“It was all very peaceful,” he said. “We didn’t make a huge amount of noise, but we asked the minister for a conversation.

“Initially, he said he’d give us a few minutes. But after about five minutes, he decided not to speak to us at all.”

As the protest unfolded, Mr Zeichner was trapped in his taxi for up to an hour, with the car surrounded by the farmers’ vehicles.

Mr Sanders-Carr described how the minister was unable to leave until the protestors decided to allow him to exit.

“He was held up with all the blinds down in his taxi. We just let him out after a while,” he added.

NFU concern

But the NFU has questioned whether blocking a minister for up to an hour was a sensible decision.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “At such a pivotal time for our industry, with the government in the midst of trade negotiations with the US, I would ask those that organised the blockade against the minister if they are trying to break farming’s relationship with government?

“Despite our differences over policies such as the family farm tax and SFI, it’s important we have a strong working relationship with Defra ministers. Just this week, I was speaking to Steve Reed about how we protect UK agriculture from US imports produced to a lower standard in a future trade deal and discussing bovine TB with Daniel Zeichner.”

He added: “However difficult the challenges are, we must have a respectful and constructive dialogue.

“We won’t always agree with the government of the day, but we have to be in the room, representing our industry with authority on various issues, for the long term good of the sector. Unfortunately, that is currently being threatened by the actions of the minority.”

Placards

The protestors’ placards carried strong messages, such as “No Farms, No Food, No Future” and “Beep if You Eat”, urging passing drivers to honk their horns in solidarity.

Police ensured the safe departure of Mr Zeichner and his team, as the situation grew tense.

Farmers To Action is planning to ramp up its activities in the coming weeks, starting with three days of nationwide action from 10-12 April, as part of their “Say No to Labour!” demonstrations.

A Defra spokesperson said: “Both the secretary of state and farming minister were out meeting farmers yesterday.

“We have always engaged with farmers and never shied away from difficult conversations.”

© Farmers to Action