Hundreds of farmers from across Oxfordshire gathered in the heart of Oxford city centre on Thursday, driving over 100 tractors into the streets in protest against the Labour government’s controversial “Family Farm Tax.” The demonstration coincided with Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s address at the Oxford Farming Conference, which was drowned out by a cacophony of blaring tractor horns and chants from protesters.
Protesters condemned the government’s plan to reduce agricultural property relief for farms valued over £1 million, which is set to take effect in 2026. Many see this as an attack on the rural way of life by an out-of-touch elite that knows little about agriculture. The Oxford Mail reports that farmers held placards reading “No farms, no food, axe the tax.” Andy Corner, an Oxfordshire farmer, said the tax would force many like him to sell their farms. “The money we’ve got is for the next generation, and trying to make a living for them,” he explained.
During his speech, Reed apologised for the tax changes but defended them, citing a £22 billion public spending deficit discovered upon Labour taking office. Farmers Weekly notes that Reed also outlined his “Plan for Change,” which aims to boost profitability through fairer supply chains, planning reforms, and opportunities for farmers to sell renewable energy. However, the absence of updates on the inheritance tax reforms only inflamed tensions.
National Farmers Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw expressed frustration, stating that while he welcomed some aspects of the plan, many farmers “won’t make it” to see its benefits due to the immediate financial pressures.
This protest follows a similar demonstration in London last month. europeanconservative.com reported how hundreds of farmers drove tractors through Whitehall and Parliament Square in central London, with placards reading “Save British Farming.” The rally underscored fears that the inheritance tax would devastate small farms, already strained by high land values and slim profit margins. NFU leaders have also warned of the psychological toll on farmers, some of whom are considering drastic measures to protect their farms.
British farmers are not the only ones protesting. Last year, farmers took to the streets around Europe to protest burdensome green regulations and a planned trade deal with the South American Mercosur trading bloc. The farmers argued that the deal would result in cheap agricultural products—which are not subject to the same onerous regulations that European farmers must follow—flooding the market.
While the protests in the UK and continental Europe have different origins, they both highlight the growing divide between farmers and politicians. For many, the inheritance tax changes are emblematic of a government out of touch with rural realities. Farmers argue that their role as food producers and stewards of the land is being undervalued in favour of short-term fiscal policies.
As one protester succinctly put it, “No farms, no food.” Unless governments address their concerns, British and European farming faces an uncertain future, with rural communities bearing the brunt of these policies.
