Farmers Threaten Supermarket Blockade in Protest Against Tax Policy

[Social Media]

 

Farmers across the country are planning a significant escalation in their protests against the government’s recent inheritance tax changes. In a bold move, radical elements within farming protest groups are preparing to blockade supermarket distribution centers, potentially crippling the nation’s food supply chain.  

 

 

According to sources, the planned action could begin as early as mid-January, starting with short blockades to demonstrate feasibility before escalating to longer shutdowns. The ultimate goal, protest leaders warn, could be a “complete shutdown” of distribution hubs, leading to empty supermarket shelves and widespread disruption.  

 

“The first time will be for a short period to show it can be done,” one protest insider told *The Telegraph*. “Then a 12 or 24-hour shutdown, and ultimately, if it gets that far, a complete shutdown until the Government comes to the table. It could ultimately shut down the economy—no food means serious chaos. The Government have picked a fight with the wrong sector!”  

 

The unrest stems from a policy announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn budget, which imposed a 20 percent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets exceeding £1 million. This marked a significant shift from previous tax breaks that allowed family farms to pass down through generations without being subjected to the 40 percent inheritance tax rate.  

 

The new policy has provoked widespread anger within the farming community. In November, thousands of farmers gathered in Westminster to protest the tax, with high-profile attendees like Jeremy Clarkson, the former *Top Gear* presenter, lending their support. Since then, smaller demonstrations have continued in the capital, and tractor “go-slow” protests have been staged in areas such as Dover and Suffolk.  

 

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and other farming organizations are organizing a national day of action on January 25, which will include tractor rallies and roadside banners targeting Labour’s marginal constituencies. However, some groups believe these measures are not enough and are opting for a more aggressive approach with the planned blockade.  

 

The proposed action would focus on disrupting supermarket distribution centers, which are critical for moving food from suppliers to retail outlets. Such a move could result in significant disruptions to the nation’s food supply chain, with empty shelves and delayed deliveries impacting households across the country.  

 

As tensions rise, protest leaders are adamant that the government must reconsider its policy. They argue that the tax changes threaten the viability of family-run farms, which have long been the backbone of the UK’s agricultural sector. By targeting this essential industry, they contend, the government risks destabilizing not just the farming community but the entire economy.  

 

“It could ultimately shut down the economy, no food means serious chaos. The Government have picked a fight with the wrong sector!”

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-31

 

 

 

[jimmybcool]

I back the farmers. 

[Hawaiian]

32 minutes ago, Social Media said:

 

Farmers across the country are planning a significant escalation in their protests against the government’s recent inheritance tax changes. In a bold move, radical elements within farming protest groups are preparing to blockade supermarket distribution centers, potentially crippling the nation’s food supply chain.  

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gf_42T5WEAAYT9P?format=jpg&name=small

 

According to sources, the planned action could begin as early as mid-January, starting with short blockades to demonstrate feasibility before escalating to longer shutdowns. The ultimate goal, protest leaders warn, could be a “complete shutdown” of distribution hubs, leading to empty supermarket shelves and widespread disruption.  

 

“The first time will be for a short period to show it can be done,” one protest insider told *The Telegraph*. “Then a 12 or 24-hour shutdown, and ultimately, if it gets that far, a complete shutdown until the Government comes to the table. It could ultimately shut down the economy—no food means serious chaos. The Government have picked a fight with the wrong sector!”  

 

The unrest stems from a policy announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn budget, which imposed a 20 percent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets exceeding £1 million. This marked a significant shift from previous tax breaks that allowed family farms to pass down through generations without being subjected to the 40 percent inheritance tax rate.  

 

The new policy has provoked widespread anger within the farming community. In November, thousands of farmers gathered in Westminster to protest the tax, with high-profile attendees like Jeremy Clarkson, the former *Top Gear* presenter, lending their support. Since then, smaller demonstrations have continued in the capital, and tractor “go-slow” protests have been staged in areas such as Dover and Suffolk.  

 

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and other farming organizations are organizing a national day of action on January 25, which will include tractor rallies and roadside banners targeting Labour’s marginal constituencies. However, some groups believe these measures are not enough and are opting for a more aggressive approach with the planned blockade.  

 

The proposed action would focus on disrupting supermarket distribution centers, which are critical for moving food from suppliers to retail outlets. Such a move could result in significant disruptions to the nation’s food supply chain, with empty shelves and delayed deliveries impacting households across the country.  

 

As tensions rise, protest leaders are adamant that the government must reconsider its policy. They argue that the tax changes threaten the viability of family-run farms, which have long been the backbone of the UK’s agricultural sector. By targeting this essential industry, they contend, the government risks destabilizing not just the farming community but the entire economy.  

 

“It could ultimately shut down the economy, no food means serious chaos. The Government have picked a fight with the wrong sector!”

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-31

 

 

 

Look for a run on groceries.

[impulse]

Had to get 4 paragraphs in to figure out it's the UK.  Might have been France, Germany, Poland, the USA or...or...

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

Had to get 4 paragraphs in to figure out it's the UK.  Might have been France, Germany, Poland, the USA or...or...

The Union Jack flag in the photo before needing to read anything and then again after the first paragraph gave you no clue then.....

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

The Union Jack flag in the photo before needing to read anything and then again after the first paragraph gave you no clue then.....

 

Farmers across the country are planning a significant escalation in their protests against the government’s recent inheritance tax changes. In a bold move, radical elements within farming protest groups are preparing to blockade supermarket distribution centers, potentially crippling the nation’s food supply chain.  

 

What about that first paragraph suggests the UK? 

 

I'll grant you the photo, but if you have a slow connection like mine, I had read the entire article before the first photo popped up.  I'm still waiting to see what's in the 2nd photo.  Sometimes, they don't pop up at all.

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Farmers across the country are planning a significant escalation in their protests against the government’s recent inheritance tax changes. In a bold move, radical elements within farming protest groups are preparing to blockade supermarket distribution centers, potentially crippling the nation’s food supply chain.  

 

What about that first paragraph suggests the UK? 

 

I'll grant you the photo, but if you have a slow connection like mine, I had read the entire article before the first photo popped up.  I'm still waiting to see what's in the 2nd photo.  Sometimes, they don't pop up at all.

Oh the agony for you. Never mind

[BangkokReady]

37 minutes ago, impulse said:

What about that first paragraph suggests the UK? 

 

He meant the second photo after the first paragraph.

[impulse]

34 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

He meant the second photo after the first paragraph.

 

That's the downside of having a slow connection.  I had read the article and replied before I even knew there were photos.  If I was on my phone over weak 4G, I'd probably still be waiting to see that 2nd photo.  And by then, I've lost all interest and moved on.