Farmers mark tax protest with tractor convoy

Farmers are protesting against the government's inheritance tax plans

A group of farmers plan to drive their tractors to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool to protest against the government's inheritance tax changes.

Farmers gathered at Sedgemoor Market near Bridgwater in Somerset on Saturday as part of a wider national campaign by the group Farmers to Action.

"Agriculture in the UK is on it's knees," said Charlie Walford, a third generation farmer based at Upton Bridge Farm near Langport. "We've been in the Somerset Levels since 1949 and we've never had it so tough."

A government spokesperson said their commitment to farming and food security is "steadfast" and have allocated £11.8bn to sustainable farming.

Mr Walford said factors beyond their control such as weather and the plans to introduce heritance tax will be the "final nails in the coffin" for farming.

Planned changes would see inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m taxed at 20% - half the usual rate - from April 2026.

Labour has repeatedly defended the move by claiming the changes will only affect the 500 wealthiest farms each year.

The Country Land and Business Association estimates that up to 70,000 farms could be affected overall.

'Agriculture in the UK is on its knees,' says farmer Charlie Walford

This year's prolonged dry weather has been a "nightmare" for farmers, said Jenny Curtis, a beef farmer based in Muchelney.

"It's been a lovely year if you want to sit out in the garden, but for growing, there's just been nothing growing.

"We've cut our cow numbers down from 500 to about 350 because we just haven't got enough forage to feed them," she added.

Martyn, a beef and sheep farmer on the Somerset Levels, said this year's harvest has been a "mixed bag".

"It's been nice that we've had the weather, but the crops have suffered because of the prolonged dry period," he said.

However, his son Nathan said the industry's challenges has not put him off pursuing a career in farming.

"It's something I've always had a passion for and it's still something I want to do for my career," he said.

"It is a struggle with farming, but it's a risk I'm willing to take."

Martyn's son Nathan says he hasn't been put off from a career in farming

The Farmers to Action group plan to drive from the four corners of the UK over the next few weeks, converging on the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

A government spokesperson said: "Most estates claiming Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will be unaffected by the changes.

"The latest data shows that 40% of Agricultural Property Relief - worth £219m - was directed to just 117 estates. The money raised will go towards public services we all rely on every day instead."

Ariane Blake, arable and beef farmer, at South Petherton said: "We agree we should be paying taxes.

"We're not trying to get out of it, but the way it's been handled - on top of difficult years of farming - it's just soul destroying for people to be faced with the fact that it might be a case of [having to] sell the farm."