British farmers are taking unprecedented action this week, refusing to sell their milling wheat in protest against upcoming inheritance tax changes. This first-of-its-kind farming strike could leave supermarket shelves bare of bread and Easter treats within days, showing just how fragile our food supply chains really are.
The anger stems from new rules coming in 2026 that will tax farm assets over £1 million at 20%. While the government claims this only affects the wealthiest estates, multigenerational family farms say it’s a death sentence for their way of life. “They’re taxing the land we need to grow food, not some luxury asset we can easily sell off,” explains one frustrated farmer.
The timing couldn’t be more dramatic – with Easter approaching, flour supplies could start running short almost immediately. No milling wheat means no flour, and no flour means empty bakery sections. Farmers hope this stark demonstration will make ministers understand how quickly food security can unravel when producers are pushed too far.
In Whitehall, officials insist they’re being reasonable, offering lower tax rates than other businesses and spreading payments over a decade. They point to billions being invested in agriculture, but farmers counter that no amount of funding justifies policies that could force families off land they’ve worked for generations.
As the standoff continues, ordinary shoppers might soon see the consequences at their local supermarket. The flour bags could start disappearing first, followed by bread loaves and hot cross buns. It’s a high-stakes game of chicken between growers and the government, with the nation’s food supply caught in the middle.
