The suits and black cabs which typically dot the streets around Westminster have been frequently replaced by the wellies, tweed jackets and tractors of aggrieved farmers of late. Farmers have regularly swapped their fields for the city since October, when changes to inheritance tax IHT for agricultural businesses were announced by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, angrily protesting and waving banners.
The meet-up comes as its 40, members across England and Wales continue to struggle with a string of challenges. Income fell for all types of farm in England between and early , according to the most recent figures from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Defra.
Ministers have said a move to bring farms and other business property into IHT from April is necessary to help fix public services. However, agricultural organisations dispute these figures, and warn the measures will endanger domestic food security, stifle investment and cause hardship to family farms.
Relations between farming representatives and ministers have soured further in recent days. Notable by his absence will be the prime minister, for once not invited by the organisation in perhaps a sign of the state of farming-government relations.
This is contrary to appearances in recent years by then-PM Rishi Sunak in person and by video message. Reed will arrive on Tuesday armed with an olive branch β he is to tell farmers that more British produce will be served in hospitals, schools and prisons. The public sector will be given a target of sourcing at least half of all food from farms with the highest welfare standards, mostly likely to be in the UK.
