Farmers to escalate fight back with Dover tractor demo

Fed-up farmers are gearing up to stage a go-slow tractor protest around Dover to show their growing exasperation with Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government.

Farmers Weekly understands that at least 100 tractors are expected to converge on the Dover area from 12.30pm on Wednesday 27 November. The farmers taking part will be bringing food donations for local food banks.

The tractor protest is being organised jointly by the Save British Farming (SBF) and the Fairness for Farmers of Kent campaign groups.

See also: Farmers Weekly Podcast Ep 231: London ‘farm tax’ protest special

Both groups joined forces to bring the biggest ever tractor demo to London last March to protest against lower standard imports in trade deals which undercut British farmers, dishonest labelling and the need for government to prioritise national food security.

Wednesday’s demo is being organised to demand that the government axes its plans to impose a 20% inheritance tax (IHT) on farm assets worth £1m or more from April 2026.

In addition, both groups say they are also furious about the Labour government’s “abject failure” to deliver on its pre-election manifesto promise “to provide a fair deal for British farmers”.

Organisers say the farm IHT plan was the “final straw” amid a barrage of other “aggressively damaging” anti-farming policies, including drastic cuts to basic payments, increased costs for employers, higher tax on double-cab pickup trucks and a carbon tax which could push up fertiliser prices by £50/t by 2027.

‘Time to stand up’

SBF founder Liz Webster said: “Indian, Canadian, French, German and other European governments have taken on their farmers and lost.

“Now is the time for British farmers to show their mettle and ensure that we are not pushed around by a government that is intent on ending our way of life.

“This fight is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s clear that we will have to be in it for the long haul, so please make sure you join us as we build this movement against a hostile, urban ideology.”

Matt Cullen, a beef farmer based near Canterbury, is one of the main organisers of the Dover tractor demo.

He said: “It’s time for farmers to stand up and fight back and it’s time to show the government that things will escalate more if they don’t sit down and talk to us.”

Food continuity

David Catt, who farms a market garden south of Maidstone, will be taking part in the Dover demo.

He said: “The Labour Party is supposed to be looking after hardworking British people, not crucifying them. The reason that [IHT] relief has been in place since the mid-1980s is to guarantee continuity in food production.”

Mr Catt believes the government could make IHT exemptions for family farms that have farmed for 10 years before the death (of the owner) and if the farm is still being farmed for 7-10 years afterwards.

“This would save family farms and also save face for the government,” he said.