1,800 farmers attend NFU mass lobby: ‘This betrayal is extraordinary’
20th November 2024
1,800 farmers took part in a mass lobby organised by the NFU to speak out against the inheritance tax changes announced by the government.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw opened the event by saying that the Budget has been a “kick in the teeth,” adding that “75% of commercial farm businesses are caught in the eye of the storm”.
He asked the audience to tell MPs their stories “from the heart” and assured the farming community that “this is only the start”.
Mr Bradshaw was joined by NFU Cymru president Aled Jones, NFUS president Martin Kennedy and UFU president William Irvine.
Angry, disillusioned and upset industry
Mr Bradshaw told the farmers who gathered in the Church House conference centre at Westminster: “You don’t need me to tell you farmers and growers put up with a lot, but it takes something extraordinary to get us to react like this, and this betrayal on APR/BPR is extraordinary, and it affects farmers from every corner of Britain, many of whom are here today or joining us for later sessions.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the industry this angry, this disillusioned and this upset. And given what we’ve had to be angry about in recent years, that’s saying something.
“Together, our focus today with MPs is APR & BPR, this shocking policy built on bad data and launched with no consultation. The Treasury didn’t even tell Defra.
“To launch a policy this destructive without speaking to anyone involved in farming beggars’ belief.”
Mr Bradshaw added that changes announced at the Autumn Budget are “nothing short of a stab in the back”.
Straw that broke camel’s back
“But we in this room also know that APR & BPR is the straw which broke the camel’s back for farming.
“After years of changing policy and 18 months of some of the worst weather on record, the Budget has been a kick in the teeth. It is full of let-downs for our vital sector: accelerated BPS reductions, double cab pick-up taxes, new taxes on fertilisers. The list goes on.
“There has never been a Budget this bad for farming in my lifetime,” the NFU president added.
Following his speech, farmers started their meeting with MPs to explain to them how the changes to APR will affect farming and growing businesses as well as to look for solutions.
When the three sessions of the NFU mass lobby ended, Mr Bradshaw joined farmers who were protesting on London streets.
MP meetings underway now, starting with with @david_reed @cammaynard @RachelGilmourLD. Farmers tell them of the devastation inheritance tax on family farms will cause.#StopTheFamilyFarmTax #BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/vFFEprHMOV
— NFU South (@nfusouth) November 19, 2024
READ MORE: Tens of thousands of farmers descend on Westminster
READ MORE: GALLERY: Farmers head to London en masse to protest against family farm tax
He told the rally participants: “We know the pressure this is putting on the farming industry, the mental health toll on our industry was already at record levels.
“I am seriously concerned as many of you are here, about the impact that this has. It’s very far-reaching.
“When you’re back on your farm tomorrow, pick up your phone to a friend, a neighbour, somebody you haven’t seen for a while and make sure they’re okay.
“Secondly, please do write to your MP. They are elected to represent you. They must have heard today the impact that this will have on you, your farms, your future, your family. We are fighting for you every single day.
“We won’t give up, the government must change course. They’ve simply got this policy wrong.
“Every meeting I go in, whether you’re an NFU member or not, I carry you into that room with me and we will do our best to fight this awful policy.”
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