Last month a convoy of tractors rolled through Dover and thousands of farmers gathered in London to protest against changes to inheritance tax rules as announced in the Labour government’s recent Budget.
The protests were sparked by the proposed 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth £1 million or more, set to take effect from April 2026.
British farmers argue that the policy, combined with the fast-track withdrawal of the Basic Payment Scheme, increasing farm employer costs and a carbon tax on fertiliser, among other policies, could force families to sell land to cover tax bills, breaking up livelihoods and generations of UK farming businesses, Farmers Weekly reported.
There are also worries within the industry over the impact of future trade deals, substandard food imports and the recent removal of farming grants.
The potential introduction of chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef from the US undermines the UK’s high food standards and is a major concern for farmers. The government’s decision to remove or stop farming grants and funding for promoting British food abroad has added to the industry’s woes.
“There’s a decision about an American trade deal, which is a massive problem for British farming. It is unsurvivable. We’re back looking at the horror of chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef.
“Obviously, the inheritance tax is another assault on farming.
“What is more, the government has removed or stopped a lot of the farming grants and pulled the funding for promoting British food abroad. What we’re seeing is a real aggressive move from this government to end British farming,” founder of Save British Farming, Liz Webster, said.
Hellbound and Down 
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