Farmers protesting inheritance tax change set to join 'day of unity' activities across Shropshire and Staffordshire
Farmers in Shropshire and Staffordshire will join those from across the UK to stage a 'national day of unity' tomorrow as pressure builds on the Government to halt the controversial family farm tax which will devastate family farms across the country.
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Saturday (January 25) will see farmers gather in towns across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to thank the British public for their support, and to underline to MPs that they will not stop until the change to inheritance tax is subject to further consultation and scrutiny.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “Farmers haven’t taken this destructive policy lying down and we won’t give up. There is too much at risk – our families, our future, our heritage and the undermining of the very sector that produces a safe, secure supply of British food.
“This date will give everyone that wants to an opportunity to support family farms from right across the UK, to show unity and strength, and for farmers and growers to speak as one in our call for government to stop the family farm tax.
“We are so grateful to the British public for their ongoing support on this issue. The 25th is not just a day for the farming community to show unity, but anyone who believes Britain’s family farms, and the high quality food they produce, deserve to be better valued and supported.”
Jane Bassett, NFU regional board chair, who represents county farmers and those across the Midlands, said specific plans were being led by NFU farming leaders with details being finalised and firmed up in the weeks ahead working with other members, county and regional teams.
She said: “We had the mass lobby in London and have launched our banner campaign all the while mass lobbying our MPs over this and we have shown this issue is not going away and we will continue to fight it.
“The campaign continues as we call on all of our politicians from all parties to back the industry and stop this destructive tax on family food producing businesses, the economy and rural communities.”
Among the areas locally where events will take place is Stafford Market Square. From 10am to 4pm where there will be a vintage tractor and a farm robot. NFU members will also be collecting food for the Hearts and Minds food bank.
Farmers will also be in Lichfield, at the end of the high street. A small tractor used for fruit picking will be showcased and farmers will be handing out potatoes, parsnips and carrots grown locally. Farmers will be present from 10am to 2pm.
In Shropshire, farmers will be at Morrisons in Lawley, Telford, from 10am to 1pm.
The public engagement event will use a regional display trailer containing a display of Shropshire-grown produce. Morris Corfield has agreed to provide a tractor.
And in Ludlow, in Castle Square, farmers will be present from 10am to 2pm, engaging with the public by handing out leaflets and speaking with shoppers. There will also be livestock on a trailer.