British farmers are organizing a series of demonstrations and tractor rallies to protest recent government measures they see as damaging to the UK’s food and farming sector.

The move comes in response to “anti-farming” policies introduced in the Autumn Budget, which farmers say will negatively impact their livelihoods and the industry as a whole.

The Labor Party made a pre-election commitment to introduce an agricultural “new deal” to boost rural growth and strengthen food security.

See also: Defra minister downplays impact of IHT changes

Despite the stated intentions, many farmers see the “new deal” as a missed opportunity or even a threat to their livelihoods, particularly when it comes to taxes, environmental regulations and the practicalities of implementing the changes.

In particular, farmers are angry at the Labor government’s plans to reduce farm property relief on inheritance tax (IHT), increase national insurance costs for employers and make radical cuts to basic payments for workers. English farmers in 2025.

Struggling agricultural businesses also face steep increases in the minimum wage, adding further cost pressures.

On the other hand, double cab trucks will be reclassified as cars, which will mean significant tax increases.

In addition to the tractor rallies, several farming and rural organizations have lodged petitions urging the government to reverse its IHT reform plans.

Starting at 10am on Tuesday 19 November, around 1,800 farmers and NFU members will gather at Church House, Westminster, for a mass lobby to meet their MPs and ask them to urge the government to reconsider the proposed changes to the IHT.

The event is now fully booked and the NFU has significantly expanded its capacity due to high demand.

The main aim of the mass lobby is to raise awareness among MPs about how the proposed IHT reforms will affect agricultural businesses and, by extension, the UK’s food supply.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw has encouraged farmers to look their MPs “in the eye” and explain the personal and financial challenges that changes to the APR could impose on their family farms. With this strategy, the NFU hopes to put pressure on MPs and the chancellor to reconsider this policy.

The “Stop the Family Farm Tax” campaign has garnered overwhelming support, with more than 180,000 people signing a online petition and express their concerns on social media.

Supplementary event

A group of farmers, including Olly Harrison, Clive Bailye, Martin WiIliams, Andrew Ward and James Mills, are organizing a second follow-up event in London on November 19. Looks like this will start at 10am

The NFU supports its members and farmers if they wish to attend this demonstration, but says it is not responsible for organizing it.

This event will be a high-profile demonstration that will focus on reminding the government that farmers are food producers. Organizers are asking people who plan to attend register online first so they can estimate numbers more accurately and also communicate maps and itineraries.

Harrison said: “We think it is very important to remind the government that UK farmers produce food for the nation. As part of this, we invite people to bring food, which we will then donate to food banks.”

herefordshire rally

Several events are planned for farmers who cannot travel to London. Herefordshire farmers are planning a “Back to British Farming Rally” in Ledbury from 11am on November 19.

On December 4, NFU Scotland will hold an event at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, discussing key issues affecting agriculture and rural communities in Scotland.

The Land and Business Association of the Country has launched a national campaign to “defend” family farms and rural businesses according to the Budgets. It is asking farmers and landowners to sign an online letter opposing the IHT reforms, with responses to be sent to their local MPs.

Meanwhile, the Rural Alliance (CA) has launched a mass email campaign urging MPs to “stand up” for farming families in their constituencies in response to the government’s plans to impose new taxes on landowners and working farmers.

The CA has put together an email that it wants as many people as possible to send to their MPs. That document is available on their online lobby platform, Stop the tax on family farming.

It explains what the planned changes to IHT and the taxation of double-cab pick-ups will mean for family farms.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, CA director of foreign affairs, says that with so few MPs from rural seats in cabinet, the government “doesn’t seem to be in listening mode”.

He stressed: “Labour MPs, many of whom now represent rural benches, must stand up for their farming families who will be hit hard by this controversial Budget.”