Farmers in Chester rallied with cows and tractors to protest inheritance tax changes that threaten family farms across the UK
Chester: This morning, farmers gathered at Chester Town Hall Square, bringing along tractors, cows, and calves. It was all part of the National Farmers’ Union National Day of Unity.
The union highlighted three key issues during the protest. They believe the inheritance tax is poorly designed and could devastate family farming in Britain. They also expressed gratitude for public support and emphasized that their fight will continue as long as necessary.
They even collected donations for RABI, a charity focused on farming mental health. The protest was sparked by news that starting April 6, 2026, full relief from inheritance tax will only apply to the first £1 million of agricultural and business property.
Anything above that will see landowners facing a 50% relief rate, which means they could end up paying up to 20% in inheritance tax instead of the usual 40%. The good news is that this tax can be paid off in installments over ten years without interest.
The government claims this change will only affect the wealthiest farmers, but the NFU disputes that figure, saying it’s misleading. Rachel Hallos, a hill farmer and NFU vice president, hopes these protests will help the public understand why farmers are so upset.
She stressed the need for the government to listen, as the recent budget decisions are harmful, especially regarding inheritance tax. Farmers rely on their assets to produce food, and losing them would be a huge blow.
Rachel also mentioned the lack of time to plan for passing down businesses to the next generation, which is quite scary. If farmers have to sell off assets to cover tax bills, it could threaten their ability to produce food.
Richard Blackburn, a dairy farmer from Nantwich, organized the Chester protest. He shared his concerns about the massive inheritance tax his son would face if he took over the farm without it being gifted first.
He explained that his son might have to sell cows or land, jeopardizing the farm’s future. Richard feels let down, as farmers work hard to produce food but don’t see any tax reforms coming their way.
Robert Brunt from Congleton echoed these worries, saying the inheritance tax could become “unaffordable” for farmers, hindering their ability to invest in their businesses.
Alistair Dobson from South Cheshire believes the proposed reforms could wipe out farmers unless changes are made. He pointed out that while farmers don’t mind paying taxes, it needs to be structured in a way that supports them.
He added that the government’s estimate of 25% of farmers being affected is likely closer to 75%. It’s clear that farmers are feeling the pressure and are determined to make their voices heard.
