Farmers across the UK are preparing for a national strike in protest against new inheritance tax changes, starting this Sunday.
- The strike, lasting a week, culminates in a major rally in London, opposing policies by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
- A 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million has been met with severe criticism, with fears of undermining family farm legacies.
- The protest includes withholding supplies of non-perishable items such as meat and crops, raising concerns about supermarket inventories.
- The strike coincides with a lobbying event by the National Farmers’ Union, underscoring widespread discontent in the agricultural community.
Beginning Sunday, a significant number of farmers in the United Kingdom plan a week-long strike to express their dissatisfaction with recent inheritance tax changes. Central to the protest is a march in London on November 19, where over 10,000 farmers are expected to rally. The policy, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, imposes a 20% levy on farms valued over £1 million, previously exempt from such taxes.
This has sparked fears among farmers that traditional family farms will be forced to sell parts of their operations, jeopardising their continuity. Organised by the ‘Enough Is Enough’ protest group, this strike aims to highlight these issues. A spokesperson for the group stated, “British farmers have simply had enough. We cannot afford to provide food to the public under these conditions.”
The action will see farmers withholding non-perishable items like meat and some crops from supermarket shelves. UK farms contribute to the nation’s food supply significantly, producing about 80% of the country’s beef and 90% of fresh poultry, among other commodities. Dairy farmers, however, will not participate in the strike due to the perishable nature of milk and eggs.
Tim Taylor, a strike organiser, emphasised that the goal is to create disruption rather than devastate supplies, hoping to garner public support for their cause. Concerns that these tax changes could be the end for many family-run farms have led individuals like Welsh farmer Gareth Wyn Jones to take part in the strike, driven by the need to preserve his family’s 375-year-old farming tradition.
In the wake of this policy, mental health support lines for farmers have reported increased activity, reflecting the stress and uncertainty faced by the farming community. The tragic story of South Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth, who took his own life to spare his children from the tax burden, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Coinciding with the strike, around 2,000 farmers are expected to attend a ‘mass lobbying event’ organised by the National Farmers’ Union, intending to engage MPs directly about their concerns. Additionally, protest plans include demonstrating at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno and potentially ceasing sewage slurry collection from water companies as additional protest measures.
While the government argues that these tax adjustments are designed to protect family farms and provide for public services, many in the agricultural sector fear for their future. Some groups warn that if their appeals are not addressed, further protests, possibly in the style seen in France, could follow.
The national strike underscores the deep-seated concerns within the farming community about inheritance tax changes and their potential impact on traditional farming practices.
