Farmers stage beach rally over inheritance tax

Organisers of the March for Farmers wrote the words "Listen to us" in the sand

A march to encourage the government to listen to farmers over inheritance tax changes has taken place on a beach.

Dozens of people took part in the rally on Bigbury Beach in the South Hams, Devon, which was sparked by new inheritance tax rules announced in the Budget.

Organisers of the March for Farmers wrote the words "Listen to us" in the sand, saying the government had "not responded to concerns" around the changes.

Devon NFU deputy chairperson Cathy Case said there was a risk inheritance tax changes would do "irreparable damage to farming businesses".

Succession plans

From April 2026, farmers will be liable to pay 20% on the value of their land and assets worth more than £1m.

Bigbury's March for Farmers called for the government to give farmers more time to make their succession plans.

Organisers said: "We want our local farming families, with small to medium-sized farms, to be able to afford to keep farming the same fields that their ancestors have done for generations.

"We are concerned that land values push many farms into the liable tax bracket and that many may not be financially robust enough to make contingency for this tax burden.

"The average farm size in the south west is 170 acres and the value of agricultural land varies from £9,500 to £21,000 per acre."

From April 2026, farmers will be liable to pay 20% on the value of their land and assets worth more than £1m

Ms Case added: "The message we want to make loud and clear in our local village is that farmers need to be listened to.

"The changes are real and that lack of confidence in their future could be crippling for businesses."

The prime minister previously said he understood farmers' concerns but added "the vast majority" would be unaffected.

Government research found last year an average farm made a profit of about £45,300, although that figure may be overstated as it is based on a survey that excluded farms that bring in the least money.

The government says the changes will affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year, but the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have estimated up to 70,000 farms worth more than £1m could be affected.