Farmers across the UK have taken to the streets in protest against new inheritance tax reforms introduced by the government. Using their tractors, they organized a National Day of Unity to express their concerns about the future of family farms and the agricultural sector.
The government believes these tax changes could bring in up to £520 million a year. However, farmers and supporters argue that these reforms could threaten thousands of family-owned farms and seriously damage the farming community.
Protests took place in towns and cities across the UK, with farmers bringing along food, tractors, and even livestock to raise awareness. The National Farmers Union (NFU) coordinated the events, aiming to connect with the public and thank them for their support.
On the eve of the protests, NFU president Tom Bradshaw and NFU Cymru president Aled Jones delivered a petition with over 270,000 signatures to officials, urging them to reconsider the impact of what they call a “devastating family farm tax.”
Rachel Hallos, a livestock farmer, emphasized the need for the government to recognize how these changes could harm farming families. She expressed concern that the government does not prioritize food production and environmental issues.
In Northern Ireland, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) organized several tractor runs to draw attention to the issue, with many participants displaying slogans like “Save Our Family Farms.”
In response to the protests, Environment Secretary Steve Reed acknowledged that food production and environmental health have often been at odds. He committed to working with farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, stating that a healthy environment is vital for food production.
The government intends to invest £5 billion in farming over the next two years, which they describe as the largest budget for sustainable food production in the nation’s history. They claim this will benefit farmers, with reforms designed to ease the tax burden on estates and promote British produce.
As farmers continue to voice their concerns, the conversation around inheritance tax and its impact on agriculture remains a pressing issue that affects many families across the UK.
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National Farmers Union,food production,inheritance tax,Tom Bradshaw,NFU,Ulster Farmers Union,the government,Rachel Hallos,town centres
