Farmers across the UK are warning that supermarket shelves could be empty this Christmas if the government doesn’t rethink its new inheritance tax policy. Many farmers say the changes threaten the survival of family-run farms, and some are considering taking serious action, like cutting food production, to get their point across.
The issue began when the government introduced changes to inheritance tax rules, which could make it much harder for family farms to stay in business after the death of the farm owner. A recent vote in Parliament to block these changes was defeated, with some rural Labour MPs voting in favor of the tax. This has left many farmers feeling angry and abandoned.
Charles Godby, a farmer from Nanan, spoke out on GB News, saying he’s frustrated and disappointed with how things are being handled. “The government is being run by a small group of people who don’t listen to us,” he said. “Even MPs who say they support farmers are too scared to speak up because they don’t want to lose their positions in Parliament. Where’s the democracy?”
Farmers have been peaceful in their protests so far, but patience is running thin. Godby said farmers are now considering withholding food production as a way to pressure the government. He explained that this would hurt the poorest people in society the most, as it could lead to higher food prices and empty shelves. However, he warned that if nothing is done, food production in the UK will drop significantly, causing major problems for everyone.
Godby also shared how hard it is to make a living as a farmer. He said his average profit per acre over the last ten years is just £126, and it’s expected to drop even further as subsidies are removed. If his family farm were hit with the new inheritance tax, it wouldn’t be financially sustainable. “This isn’t just my story—it’s happening to farmers all over the country,” he said.
The timing of these protests could have a big impact. With Christmas just weeks away, the food supply chain is already under pressure. Any disruptions now could cause chaos for supermarkets and shoppers. “Nobody wants to do this,” Godby said, “but this is when it would have the most impact.”
Farmers are also frustrated about new environmental policies, like a feed additive called Bovaer. This product is meant to reduce methane emissions from cows, but many farmers worry about its long-term effects on livestock and natural farming methods. While developers claim it’s safe and doesn’t affect milk quality, some organic farmers are skeptical.
Farmers argue that it’s unfair to put so much pressure on them to reduce emissions when other industries, like aviation, contribute much more to climate change. Many have criticized people like Bill Gates, who supports products like Bovaer but uses private jets that produce massive amounts of carbon emissions.
The government says the inheritance tax changes are necessary for balancing the country’s finances. But critics argue that they fail to consider the unique challenges faced by farmers, who are essential for the UK’s food supply.
As Christmas approaches, farmers are urging the government to take their concerns seriously. If no action is taken, the UK could see rising food prices and empty shelves, affecting millions of people. Farmers say they don’t want to take drastic steps, but they feel they have no choice if the government continues to ignore them.
