Summary: Farmer demos and petitions against Budget measures

British farmers are organising a series of tractor demonstrations and rallies to protest against recent government measures they view as detrimental to the UK food and farming sector.

The action comes in response to “anti-farming” policies introduced in the autumn Budget, which farmers argue will negatively affect their livelihoods and the industry as a whole.

The Labour Party made a pre-election pledge to introduce a “new deal” for farming to boost rural growth and strengthen food security.

See also: Defra minister plays down impact of IHT changes

Despite the stated intentions, many farmers view the “new deal” as a missed opportunity or even a threat to their livelihoods, particularly with regard to tax, environmental regulations and the practicalities of implementing the changes.

In particular, farmers are angered by the Labour government’s plans to reduce agricultural property relief on inheritance tax (IHT), increase national insurance costs for employers, and make sweeping cuts to basic payments for English farmers in 2025.

Struggling farm businesses are also facing up to steep increases in the minimum wage, adding further cost pressures.

Separately, double-cab pickups will be reclassified as cars, meaning significant tax rises.

As well as the tractor demos, a number of farming and rural organisations have set up petitions to urge the government to reverse its plans for IHT reforms.  

From 10am on Tuesday 19 November, about 1,800 NFU farmer and grower members will gather at Church House, Westminster, for a mass lobby to meet with their MPs, asking them to urge the government to reconsider its proposed changes to IHT.

The event is now fully booked, with the NFU having significantly expanded its capacity due to high demand.

The main objective of the mass lobby is to raise awareness among MPs about how the proposed IHT reforms will affect farming businesses and, by extension, the UK’s food supply.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw has encouraged farmers to look their MPs “in the eyes” and explain the personal and financial challenges the APR changes could impose on their family-run farms. By taking this approach, the NFU hopes to pressure MPs and the chancellor into reconsidering the policy.

The “Stop the Family Farm Tax” campaign has garnered overwhelming support, with more than 180,000 people signing an online petition and expressing their concerns on social media.

Complementary event

A second complementary event in London on 19 November is being organised by a group of farmers, including Olly Harrison, Clive Bailye, Martin WiIliams, Andrew Ward and James Mills. This looks set to start at 10am.

The NFU supports members and farmers if they wish to attend this rally, but says it is not responsible for organising it.

This event is set to be a high-profile rally which will focus on reminding the government that farmers are food producers. The organisers are asking people who plan to attend to register online first so they can more accurately estimate numbers and also communicate maps and itineraries.

Mr Harrison said: “We think it’s very important to remind the government that UK farmers produce food for the nation. As part of this, we are inviting people to bring food, which we will then donate to food banks.”

Herefordshire rally

Several events are planned for farmers who can’t travel to London. Farmers in Herefordshire are planning a “Back British Farming Rally” in Ledbury from 11am on 19 November.

On 28 November, NFU Scotland will hold an event at the Scottish parliament at Holyrood, where key issues affecting Scottish agriculture and rural communities will be discussed.

The Country Land and Business Association has launched a nationwide campaign to “defend” family farms and rural businesses following the Budget. It is asking farmers and landowners to sign an online letter opposing the IHT reforms, with responses to be sent to their local MPs.

Meanwhile, the Countryside Alliance (CA) has launched a mass email campaign urging MPs to “stand up” for farming families in their constituencies in response to the government’s plans to impose new taxes on landowners and working farmers.

The CA has drawn up an email which it wants as many people as possible to fire off to their MPs. That document is available on its online lobby platform, Stop the family farm tax.

It sets out what the planned changes to IHT and the taxation of double-cab pick-ups will mean for family farms.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, the CA’s director of external affairs, says with so few MPs from rural seats in the cabinet, the government “does not appear to be in listening mode”.

He stressed: “Labour MPs, many of whom now find themselves representing rural seats, must stand up for their farming families who are going to be hit hard by this controversial Budget.”