Thousands of farmers hit London’s streets as IHT fight continues

More than 1,000 tractors have driven to Whitehall today, 10th February, to underline the issues farmers are currently facing, including changes to the inheritance tax reliefs, substandard imports and a looming US trade deal. 

Speeches from industry leaders started at 3.15 pm. The speakers include NFU president Tom Bradshaw, food poverty campaigner Dominic Watters, celebrity farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, as well as CLA representatives. 

From 4.30pm the protesters will be watching together the live stream of the debate that is taking place in the Parliament. 

MPs will debate the Family Farm Tax petition, which has received over 270,000 signatures. 

The founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, said: “Successive governments have failed to internalise the lessons learnt from the last two world wars when reliance on imports left Britain exposed, ensuring the ‘Dig for Britain’ effort and food rationing.  

“History does repeat itself and this government assumes that cheap imports from volatile regions will always be available. We do not have an empire any more to redirect food supplies to Britain and urgently need government to think again as global tensions are increasing.  

“Failure to heed the lessons of the past is ensuring we are marching into a food crisis and being held to ransom by hostile nations.” 

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Govt asked to maximise domestic food production

Dr Sean Rickard, former NFU chief economist, said that the UK lacks a coherent food production strategy. This threatens food security and its affordability, with food prices rising by 33% over the past five years.    

He added: “Environmental protections and net zero objectives are important, but the primary objective of government policy should be to maximise domestic food production.  

“With the right policies this can be achieved alongside the delivery of environmental and net zero objectives.  

“It is time to put household welfare and agri-food chain opportunities at the forefront of food policy. In so doing the food industry would be aligned with the government’s drive for economic growth and higher living standards.” 

A West Sussex farmer, Oliver Field, said that the impact of leaving the EU has been “devastating”, with his farm business incurring a loss of £60,000 overnight.  

“The additional pressures from changing climate patterns and unpredictable seasons only compound our struggles. Farming is not just a job; it demands long hours and a 24/7 commitment, often in perilous conditions.  

“Our industry needs support to secure a sustainable future. Together, providing this government listens to us, we can ensure that our farms thrive, benefiting generations to come,” he continued.

READ MORE: Suffolk: ‘We stay united’ – over 100 tractors are taking part in farmers’ rally
 
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