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Nottinghamshire farmers and NFU members drum up public support for ‘Stop the Family Farm Tax’ campaign at supermarkets across Newark




This afternoon, Farmers from across the area have held a series of demonstrations outside of supermarkets in Newark.

They were speaking with members of the public, outside of Waitrose, M&S, Lidl, and Aldi, about how the government's proposed new inheritance tax on agricultural land would affect farming families.

It comes as part of a national awareness day, which saw members of the National Farmers’ Union pitch up in 500 locations up and down the country.

Nottinghamshire Farmers with their tractors outside Waitrose in Newark, raising awareness for the 'Stop the Family Farm Tax'.
Nottinghamshire Farmers with their tractors outside Waitrose in Newark, raising awareness for the 'Stop the Family Farm Tax'.

The peaceful supermarket demonstrations are part of the larger 'Stop the Family Farm Tax' campaign by the NFU, which aims to see a government decision to introduce a new levy inheritance tax on agricultural land overturned.

Under the plans, farms valued at over £3m will be taxed an additional 20% on every pound over this threshold upon the death of the current owner, passing the burden on to the next generation.

Leadenham-based farmer, Andrew Ward, helped organise the event in Newark and said he was thankful for the support shown by the public.

“This is all about raising awareness — about what the Labour government are trying to do and the impact of that will decimate, farms, businesses and the economy,” he said.

“We’re also raising awareness for where our food comes from, how it ends up on our supermarket shelves, and the trouble, blood, sweat, and toil that farmers go through to put it there.

“The public response has been absolutely unbelievable, you wouldn’t believe the support we’ve had.

“There were so many questions and everyone was interested in what we were doing, young, old, everyone.”

He added: “The Waitrose store manager came out to see us and even offered us all a free breakfast. It was the same at M&S, and the Costa Coffee gave us free coffee.

“It just show there’s a real community spirit and support for this.”

Mr Ward said he wants the Prime Minister Kier Starmer to meet with farmers.

“We want to show him how wrong the figures are,” he said.

“Many farmers have very narrow profit margins and if this [inheritance tax] gets through, there is no way most people will be able to pay without selling off their land.

“Farmers are the custodians of the countryside.

“We are constantly told that nature, wildlife, and the environment need more care, but everything they’re doing removing the viability of British agriculture and will detrimental to the countryside.”



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