'War on farmers' over inheritance tax, says Hertfordshire farm owner
Farmers are today descending upon Westminster calling on the Government to make a U-turn
Farmers from across the UK are today gathering in Westminster to protest changes to inheritance tax introduced in the recent budget.
The new rules, which impose taxes on agricultural assets exceeding £1 million, have drawn criticism for threatening the viability of family farms and risking long-term food security.
Under the previous system, assets used for agricultural production were exempt from inheritance tax.
Farmers argue the changes will force families to sell portions of their land to pay the tax, undermining both efficiency and sustainability.
Will Dickinson, a farmer managing 700 acres in Hertfordshire, said: "When I die, the farm will be valued at an open market rate, and my son will have to pay inheritance tax on 20% of anything over £1 million.
"We simply don’t have the cash to do that.
"I’ve spent my career trying to buy more land to make farming more efficient, but if we’re forced to sell land, it won’t make financial sense to run the same machinery."
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU), which organised the rally, has warned the policy could disproportionately harm farmers, who hold valuable assets like land and equipment but often lack liquid capital.
Farmers also argue the reforms could harm Britain’s food security at a time of growing uncertainty around global supply chains.
Many fear the UK will become increasingly dependent on imported food, which could increase costs, carbon emissions, and biosecurity risks.
Mr Dickinson said: "Every single person in the country has to eat, yet the government is introducing a policy that will make food more expensive and farming less viable.
"It just doesn’t make sense.
It’s staggering that we’re importing food from across the world when we can grow it here with a smaller carbon footprint."
Mr Dickinson further said that the future of British farming is at stake, including the livelihoods of the next generation, with growing concerns for farmers already working with their children.
He himself is working with his son in a business envisioned to last for generations to come, but they fear the policy could put an end to it.
he said: "I worry incredibly about what this situation might be for him.
"If we have to sell land to pay this tax, I’ll be leaving behind a less efficient and less sustainable farm."
Farmers attending the rally hope to urge the government to reconsider the new tax rules, which they argue do not account for the unique financial structure of farming businesses.
With farmers already facing challenges like rising costs and severe weather episodes, many see the inheritance tax changes as a step too far.