UK farmers plan a significant strike over new inheritance tax policies, expected to strain supermarket supply chains.
- Over 10,000 farmers will march in London, protesting a 20% tax on farms valued over £1 million.
- The strike is organized by the Enough Is Enough group, highlighting the pressures on traditional farming.
- Farmers plan to withhold non-perishable goods, potentially affecting food security.
- The government claims the changes will protect farms, but many disagree, citing risks to their livelihoods.
Starting Sunday, thousands of UK farmers will initiate a national strike in response to changes in inheritance tax policy. The movement includes a major rally in London, scheduled for November 19, where over 10,000 farmers are expected to gather. This protest, spearheaded by the Enough Is Enough group, targets the imposition of a 20% inheritance tax on farms previously valued over £1 million. The farmers argue that this policy endangers the future continuity of many traditional family farms, compelling them to sell parts of their businesses.
The strike, aimed at drawing attention to their plight, involves withholding non-perishable goods such as meat and some crops from supermarket shelves. This action could significantly impact the supply chain, as UK farms provide about 80% of the nation’s beef, 90% of fresh poultry, and large portions of lamb, pork, and wheat. To minimize waste, dairy farmers are exempted from participation due to the perishability of milk and eggs.
Tim Taylor, one of the organizers and an animal feed business owner, explained that the goal is “to disrupt but not decimate supermarket shelves,” with the objective of gaining public support. Farmers like Gareth Wyn Jones, a Welsh farmer, express deep concern for the future of their family farms, some of which have been in operation for several centuries. The mental health strain on farmers is evident, with support lines reporting increased calls since the policy’s announcement.
John Charlesworth, a farmer from South Yorkshire, tragically took his own life before the budget announcement, fearing the implications of the tax changes on his family. In a broader political context, the strike aligns with a “mass lobbying event” by the National Farmers’ Union, where nearly 2,000 farmers are anticipated to meet with MPs. Additionally, protests are planned at the Welsh Labour conference, with possible further actions such as halting sewage slurry collection from water companies.
The government defends the inheritance tax changes, arguing they are designed to protect family farms while addressing public service demands, claiming most farmers will remain unaffected. However, widespread discontent persists among the farming community, with some fearing the consequences could escalate to more severe protests, similar to those seen in France, if concerns aren’t addressed.
The strike highlights the tension between UK farmers and government policy, emphasizing the need for resolution to safeguard farming futures.
