51AVÊÓÆµ

'We will keep fighting this awful tax and hopefully, eventually, the Chancellor will listen' - NFU president vows to keep campaigning after National Day of Unity

Farmers have been out across the country to engage with the public on the campaign to stop the family farm tax

Alex Black
clock • 2 min read
Credit: David Handford
Image:

Credit: David Handford

The public have shown overwhelming support for farming during the farming unions' National Day of Unity, according to farmers out and about up and down the country.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "It has been great. We have had 50 of our members here in the centre of Cambridge where I have been, and five tractors and it's been quite a spectacle. And events like this have been replicated all over the UK.

READ NOW:ÌýWhich supermarkets are standing up for farmers over the family farm tax so far?

"Today has all been about engaging with the public and helping them understand the challenges we are facing and thanking them for their support.Ìý

"On Friday, we delivered our petition to Downing Street with over 270,000 signatures, so today is just another step in the campaign.Ìý

Autumn Budget

"This week we have also seen all the major retailers come out in support, which is unheard of, for all of them to take a stance on what is after all a political decision, and we really welcome that.Ìý

"Collectively, all these events taking place, and also the Office of Budget Responsibility report which highlights some of our concerns around older farmers not being able to plan for the future, it all keeps the pressure on, keeps this issue in the media.

"We will keep fighting this awful tax and hopefully, eventually, the Chancellor will listen."

READ NOW:ÌýVirgin Money calls on Government to work with farmers on Inheritance Tax

Derbyshire upland dairy farmer David Handford said there had been 'really positive responses' from members of the public.

"One thing that surprised me was how many of them were already fully aware of the situation and fully behind the farmers cause.Ìý Another surprise was the number of people we spoke to that either owned or worked for local businesses that relied on farms for their custom," he said.

"Overall a great day talking to the public about why farming matters and why this government must reconsider its position on the family farm tax. Made to feel very welcome at our local Morrisons in Chalel en le Frith, Derbyshire."

Send in your pictures on social media or email to [email protected].

Ìý

More on Politics

UK farmers considering plans for a nationwide fuel and fertiliser protest

UK farmers considering plans for a nationwide fuel and fertiliser protest

Can Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves learn an invaluable lesson from the fuel strike in 2000 to support farmers and hauliers before it is too late?

Chris Brayford
clock 13 April 2026 • 6 min read
EXCLUSIVE - George Dunn on IHT: 'Gov could have used a consultation to pause for thought about its moral responsibility towards the elderly and terminally ill'

EXCLUSIVE - George Dunn on IHT: 'Gov could have used a consultation to pause for thought about its moral responsibility towards the elderly and terminally ill'

George Dunn, TFA chief executive, reflects on last months' family farm tax Judicial Review and says the Government, whether legally obliged or not, would have been better consulting with the industry before making changes to IHT

George Dunn
clock 13 April 2026 • 4 min read
IHT story is far from over, but campaign must continue in a different way

IHT story is far from over, but campaign must continue in a different way

What are the next steps farmers can take to stop the family farm tax at a time when some have argued that the fight to raise thresholds is 'dead' under the current Labour Government?

Chris Brayford
clock 12 April 2026 • 6 min read