Tensions Remain High as Farmers Due to Protest This Week

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The escalating frustrations among UK farmers over proposed inheritance tax reforms have led to a call for protests in London this week. Unlike their French counterparts, who are known for their militant demonstrations, British farmers are planning peaceful marches and discussions—at least for now. However, organizers warn that if the government refuses to reconsider its controversial tax plans, the protests could take a more confrontational turn.

 

The proposed policy, set to take effect in April 2026, imposes a 20% inheritance tax on farming assets valued at over £1 million, with allowances raising the threshold to £3 million. For many family-run farms, this represents a significant financial burden. Farmers like Clive Bailye, who runs The Farming Forum website, say this “impossible tax” forces families to sell off their land to meet the tax bill. Bailye estimates he would owe £450,000 for his parents’ farm, an increase of £60,000 from the current rate. “The only way I could possibly pay that is by selling the farm,” he said, emphasizing the emotional and economic toll such policies impose on family farms. 

 

Tuesday’s protests will consist of two distinct actions: a union-led effort where nearly 2,000 farmers are set to meet MPs across Westminster, and a family-oriented march through London’s streets. Organizers have stressed the importance of maintaining a respectful and peaceful atmosphere, asking participants to “leave no mark” other than food bank donations. Bailye described the march as a “family thing,” featuring children pedaling mini-tractors at the forefront.

 

However, tensions are simmering beneath the surface. Bailye expressed concern that more militant farmers might adopt tactics akin to those seen in France, where farmers recently blocked motorways and dumped manure to express their dissatisfaction with government policies. “There are other groups of farmers who, for want of a better word, want to get more French,” he said, adding that such actions could tarnish the farming industry’s reputation. 

 

Police have already issued warnings against disruptive protests, making it clear that using tractors to block roads would result in arrests. Oliver Harrison, an arable farmer and one of the march’s organizers, noted that some farmers are eager to take such measures. However, he has urged protesters to focus on communicating their plight. “We don’t want to be in headlines because farmers are rioting,” Harrison said. “We want to be in the headlines explaining that we feed people and [the tax increase] is taking away that ability.”

 

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Tom Bradshaw echoed these sentiments, urging farmers to bring the values of “trust, respect, and family” to London. He described the day as a chance for rural communities to showcase their concerns without disrupting the capital. Bradshaw criticized the government for underestimating the human impact of these reforms, particularly on elderly farmers who cannot benefit from seven-year gifting rules. “If you’re in the twilight years and you don’t expect to live for seven years, that creates a really, really difficult position,” he said.

 

Only farms worth more than £1 million will be subject to the new inheritance tax rate. That might sound like a lot, but according to Bailye, £1 million won’t get you very far in modern farming. “The working capital involved in running a viable farm is £5-10 million. A tractor is £250,000 now. A combine harvester is £500,000. A milking parlour £1 million, grain stores £500,000. A farm house might be £500,000, or if you’re in the Cotswolds it could be worth a couple of million.

“On paper, [some farmers] are extremely wealthy people because they’ve got this £10 million asset. But for many farms the return on capital is 0.5 per cent or less. If you walked into Dragon’s Den with a business idea saying ‘I’d like you to invest £10 million and I’ll give you 0.5 per cent return’, they’d laugh you out the door. So as a way to make money it doesn’t make sense. It’s not about that, it’s about a lifestyle.”

 

Based on a report by the Times & Sunday Times 2024-11-19