"It's united our industry", says Herefordshire farmer on inheritance tax protest
Farmers from across the country are in Westminster today (11 December) for another protest on inheritance tax.
Farmers from up and down the country, including some from the West Midlands, are in Westminster today for a for a fresh protest over the inheritance tax announcements made in the Autumn Budget.
Farmers have reacted with anger and dismay to the inheritance tax changes for farming businesses, which limit the existing 100% relief for farms to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.
Ahead of the protest, the Environment Department (Defra) said it had put £343 million into the rural economy last week, in payments for nature-friendly farming activities, benefiting more than 31,000 farmers.
Martin Williams, who runs a farm in Herefordshire, and is also the county's chair for the National Farmers Union, says the the government's decision has brought the farming industry together.
"As an industry, we really need to stand together over this issue," he said.
"I think it's something that has united our industry, it's united farmers together behind this cause.
"Whether they are affected badly, or mildly, and it's something that we need to put a line in the sand for and be heard."
Asked if Sir Keir was concerned farmers could get more militant and restrict food supplies, a spokesman for the PM said: "We have been very clear we are not going to change course on this policy.
"It was necessary to take tough decisions at the Budget and the spending review and those decisions remain.
"But our commitment to farmers is steadfast and our message to farmers is clear, that is why we provided £5 billion to the farming budget over two years including more money than ever for sustainable food production."
Last month an estimated 13,000 people gathered in Westminster to protest against the Budget's impact on farming.