British farmers demonstrate this Wednesday with their tractors in front of Parliament, in central London, to protest against a controversial inheritance tax affecting some farms, recently announced by the Labor government.
“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”, read the signs of the demonstrators, among dozens of tractors – many of them adorned with British flags – parked a stone’s throw from the Palace of Westminster.
“Inheritance taxes are the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” says William Pickering, 44, owner of a mainly dairy business in Tunbridge, Kent, over horn blasts and loud music.
“We are waiting for (the government) to realize that it has made a huge mistake and remove it,” he adds, saying he is ready to return to demonstrate provided that necessary.
At his side, his daughter Grace, 16, fears not being able to take over the family farm: “We would have to sell the fields (to pay the tax, ed.) and the company would no longer be profitable, because there would be no there will no longer be enough land to cultivate.”
Until now, British agricultural businesses have been able to benefit from an exemption from inheritance tax on their assets and property, a measure rightly intended to facilitate the acquisition of agricultural holdings.
But the government announced on october 30, presenting its budget, that this exemption will no longer apply to farms of more then one million pounds (1.20 million euros), from April 2026.
they will now be subject to a 20% tax, half the usual rate of inheritance tax.
The executive estimates, though, that the real threshold from which these inheritance taxes would be paid could rise to 3 million pounds (3.6 million euros),due to the reductions expected when a couple wishes to transfer their business to a son.
Excluded from the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after Brexit, British farmers have suffered from labor shortages and a funding gap.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Channel, a hundred tractors blocked this Wednesday the A16 motorway in the direction of Boulogne-Dunkirk in Coquelles, near the Channel Tunnel, to protest against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, noted an AFP correspondent.
This action, however, “had no impact on the platforms across the Channel”, namely the tunnel and the port of Calais, according to the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais interviewed by AFP. Diversions where put in place,he said.
“We are blocking the A16 to demonstrate the discontent of farmers, especially breeders, following the Mercosur announcements,” explained Antoine Peenaert, president of the FDSEA of Calaisis. He deplored that Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, had “already gone to sign something in Uruguay without really the agreement of Europe”.
The proclamation on Friday in Montevideo, in the presence of Mrs von der Leyen, of the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the European Union and four Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) has relaunched a wave of protests in france and the European agricultural world.He fears having to face South American competition at reduced prices, especially in the meat market.
This symbolic action, which began at the end of the morning, near the large cité Europe shopping center in Coquelles, will have to last ”until 4pm, to demonstrate our determination” and the farmers’ ability to further “block” French and European initiatives. economy “if necessary,” Peenaert added.
France is the leader of the European countries opposed to this agreement, which to enter into force must be ratified by at least 15 of the 27 EU member states, representing at least 65% of its population.
In Dijon,dozens of tractors blocked the city center this Wednesday,dumping manure and used tires to protest against the agreement between the EU and Mercosur and government censorship.
“Farmers without grain”, “We do not import what is banned in France”, read the signs hanging on the grill of tractors parked in front of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Regional Council, the Maison d’Europe and near the prefecture.
Bins full of old tyres, straw and sewage were thrown in front of the house of Europe. A large police force prevented them from doing the same in front of the prefecture, without to many problems.
There were “more than a hundred” tractors present, according to the organizers, who still denounce the “shameful agreement” between the European Union and Mercosur and the censorship of the Barnier government. The prefecture counted 73.
“We ask that the next government fully adopts the provisions of the agricultural law which should have been validated at the beginning of January”.
“We will continue to have strong and massive actions,” he added to the sound of agricultural machinery horns.
“We want a government that is even more aware of agricultural issues than we knew before,” added Yannick Salomon, general secretary of the JA de Côte-d’Or.
On Monday evening, the office of three NFP MPs and one RN from the region, who voted in favor of censorship, was bricked up by protesters, like many others in the rest of the country.
One of the targeted parliamentarians, ecologist Catherine Hervieu, was hit by a paint jet while speaking to farmers who were bricking up her office. However,the woman decided not to press charges.
How are post-Brexit regulations affecting the agricultural sector in the UK?
Interview between Time.news Editor and farming Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. The recent farmer protests in the UK have caught the public’s attention. Can you explain the main issue at the heart of thes protests?
Farming Expert: Absolutely, thank you for having me. The primary concern stems from the Labor government’s recent declaration regarding inheritance tax reforms. Previously, British farms were exempt from inheritance taxes on their assets and property, which helped ensure that family farms could be passed down through generations without the burden of excessive taxation. Though, starting in April 2026, farms valued over £1 million will now face a 20% inheritance tax, which is a significant shift.
Time.news Editor: So, what are the implications of this change for farmers like William Pickering, who are already feeling the strain from other challenges in the sector?
Farming Expert: The implications are quite profound. Many farmers, like Pickering, worry they may have to sell off parts of their land just to cover the tax burden, which ultimately could make their operations unviable.It’s not just about losing assets. Without sufficient land, profits decrease, and the ability to sustain the family business diminishes, as Pickering’s daughter Grace indicated in her fears about taking over the farm.
Time.news Editor: In addition to this inheritance tax issue, what other challenges are British farmers currently facing, especially in the context of post-Brexit regulations?
farming Expert: British farmers are indeed grappling with a multitude of challenges following Brexit. They are now excluded from the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has historically provided them with funding and support. Additionally, labour shortages have become more acute, which affects productivity and operations. This combination creates a precarious situation for many in the agricultural sector.
Time.news Editor: We’ve also seen protests in France concerning the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. How could this agreement impact British farmers, who are already struggling?
Farming Expert: While the protests are primarily in France, there are definitely implications for British farmers as well. The concern revolves around increased competition from South America, notably in sectors like meat production, where farmers fear they may not be able to compete with lower-priced imports. This is on top of the tax issues already causing distress in the agricultural community in the UK, and it emphasizes a growing frustration with governmental policies impacting their livelihoods.
Time.news Editor: With protests gaining momentum, what steps do you think the government should take to address farmer concerns and stabilize the situation?
Farming expert: The government must engage in open dialog with farmers, listening to their issues and concerns. They could consider revisiting the inheritance tax reforms, perhaps providing thresholds or exemptions specifically tailored to the agricultural sector. moreover, they need to ensure that support mechanisms are in place to help farmers adjust to the post-Brexit landscape, including financial assistance, labor availability, and protection against unfair competition from international trade agreements.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights! It’s clear that British farmers are at a critical juncture, and their voices need to be heard. We’ll continue to follow this story closely.
Farming Expert: Thank you. It’s critical to keep the conversation going to ensure a enduring future for our farmers.