Tue Nov 19 21:01:40 UTC 2024: ## Farmers Protest New Inheritance Tax, Claiming it Threatens Food Production

**London, UK** – British farmers staged a major protest in London this week, demanding the government repeal a new inheritance tax on farmland, which they claim will decimate family farms and compromise the nation’s food security. The controversial tax, dubbed the “tractor tax” by critics, is part of the Labour government’s budget and will impose a 20% tax on the value of inherited farmland exceeding £1 million (€1.15 million/$1.27 million) starting in 2026.

Hundreds of farmers rallied outside Parliament, carrying signs reading “no farmer, no food, no future” and expressing their anger at Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They argue that while land values are high, farm profit margins are low, making it impossible for many to pay the tax without selling their land.

“We’re not tax dodgers,” said protesting farmer Olly Harrison. “If we were making profits, tax our profits. But if we’re not making profits, we can’t pay inheritance tax.” This sentiment was echoed by Emma Robinson, a farmer whose family has owned their land for 500 years, who fears the tax will force her to relinquish her ancestral farm.

The government estimates the tax will affect around 500 farms annually, allowing payment in installments over 10 years. However, the Country Land and Business Association claims the number could be far higher, potentially impacting 70,000 farms valued above £1 million. National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw vowed continued protests until the government reverses the policy, emphasizing its severe human impact.

While Prime Minister Starmer insists the “vast majority of farms” will be unaffected, after accounting for exemptions, the government acknowledges that the effective threshold before tax is applied could be as high as £3 million (€3.46 million/$3.8 million). The debate highlights the tension between government revenue needs and the concerns of a vital sector facing significant economic challenges.

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