Farmers urged to light beacons in New Year’s Eve protest

British farmers are being encouraged to light beacons across the country on New Year’s Eve as part of a dramatic demonstration against the government’s inheritance tax plans and other agricultural reforms which they argue are threatening their livelihoods.

The planned protest is the latest escalation in ongoing frustrations over what farmers describe as “anti-farming” government policies that undermine the viability of family farms.

The beacons will be set alight on farms across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on 31 December, symbolising the unity and shared struggle of rural communities facing mounting financial pressures.

See also: BPR Summit speakers warn of devastating impact of tax raid

This symbolic protest is the brainchild of Herefordshire farmer Martin Williams, one of five farmers who organised the London Farming Rally on 19 November, which saw thousands of farmers and their supporters flock to London to protest government plans to withdraw agricultural property relief (APR) among other damaging agricultural policies.

Fellow farmer and rally organiser Olly Harrison announced the protest plan in his closing remarks at the business property relief (BPR) summit, held at the London Palladium on Monday 16 December.

He said: “We are always asked the question, ‘what’s next?’ I think we talked about fire before burning, so one of the things we’re encouraging any farmers on New Year’s Eve, if they want to go to the highest point and light a fire as a beacon of hope.

“I think that would be quite cool to get 75,000 beacons going throughout the country.”

Mr Harrison also encouraged all farmers, especially those who cannot light beacons safely on 31 December, to write to their MPs to explain the damage the inheritance tax plans and other government policy will inflict on their businesses.

“We need to fill their [MPs’] mailboxes, whether it’s email or actual mailboxes.

“Get your employers to do it as well because they really do have to respond and read them.

“We need to keep up the pressure,” he said.

Long tradition

Lighting beacons has a long tradition in British rural protest and rural symbolism, used by farmers to signal solidarity and raise awareness.

Some notable examples over the last few decades include: the 1997 fuel crisis protests, the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease crisis and more recently on farms in Wales this July to protest Welsh government policies.