Thousands of farmers across the UK are set to protest in London as anger brews over the government's 20% inheritance tax and the direction of future policy.
The mass rally is taking place today (19 November) at 11am, as more than 70,000 farms across the country will be hit by new inheritance tax laws from April 2026.
Inherited agricultural assets worth over £1 million, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20% - half the usual rate.
The protest is also taking place against continued high costs, tightening margins and uncertainty over future government policy.
However, the new Labour government's reform of agricultural property relief (APR) proved to be the final straw for many.
At the same time as the rally, the NFU is undertaking a 'mass lobby of MPs' event at Church House conference centre in Westminster, and is being attended by 1,800 farmers.
Since the autumn budget, and subsequent doubling down by the government, the industry has warned that family farms across the country would see a 'catastrophic' impact to their businesses and livelihoods.
The Treasury has said 73% of APR claims are below £1m and so would be unaffected by this policy, but Defra’s own figures show that only 34% of farms are under £1m net worth.
The NFU President Tom Bradshaw is set to say that the 'shocking' policy was 'built on bad data and launched with no consultation'.
"I don’t think I’ve ever seen the industry this angry, this disillusioned and this upset," he will tell an audience in Westminster later today.
"Given what we’ve had to be angry about in recent years that’s saying something. To launch a policy this destructive without speaking to anyone involved in farming beggars’ belief."
Ahead of the rally, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defra Secretary Steve Reed have issued a joint statement, saying the government have had to take 'difficult decisions'.
They said: “The reforms to APR ensure that wealthier estates and the most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services that farmers and families in rural communities rely on."
The nearest Tube stations to attend the rally are Westminster and Embankment, and the exact location can be found using the app What3Words - 'fresh.butter.grapes'.
The original plan was for it to begin at Trafalgar Square, but due to the larger than expected numbers, the event was relocated.
The protest will include several speeches from leaders across the farming industry and politics, with TV personalities such as Jeremy Clarkson also expected to attend.
Following this, a procession will take place to Parliament Square, which will be spearheaded by a number of children on toy tractors.
The rally will then return to Richmond Terrace for a final address by NFU president Tom Bradshaw.
Organisers, who include farmers Clive Bailye, Olly Harrison, Martin Williams, Andrew Ward and James Mills, have reminded all attendees of their "responsibilities to, not only themselves, but also, the reputation of the farming industry".
"Remember - you must register to be kept informed on further detail or any changes to plans," they said on The Farming Forum.
“Organisers remind attendees that they should not bring machinery. Trouble will not be tolerated, and organisers continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safety of all involved, given the family nature of the event.”
Attendees to the protest are also being asked to bring with them British produce to make a mass Food Bank donation.
The rally is separate from the NFU’s 'mass lobby of MPs' event, which will be attended by 1,800 farmers and is at full capacity.
Here, farmers will ask their MPs to 'look them in the eye' and tell them whether they support changes outlined in the recent budget.
At Church House, Mr Bradshaw, the NFU president, will warn that there 'has never been a budget this bad for farming in my lifetime'.
“We know what this means for our families, for our children, for our future. We know the horrendous pressure it is putting on older farmers worried sick.
"It’s wrong on every level and, just as bad, it won’t achieve what ministers want it to anyway."
Both events are taking place due to inheritance tax changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR), with fears this would deal a 'hammer blow' to family farms.
Tightening margins, record inflation, extreme weather and increased production costs meant that many farmers were now at 'breaking point' and 'unable to absorb any more cost burden'.
The tax changes could also increase food costs to consumers, farming bodies have warned, adding pressure to many still experiencing the cost-of-living crisis.
