'Enough is enough of pillaging family farmers' - Farmers For Action
Farmers For Action NI co-ordinator, William Taylor, has delivered a speech at today’s (Wednesday) protest in London.
Mr Taylor said the message is “short and clear”. “This is about agriculture not just any old industry,” he added.
“To Reeves and Starmer – meet us and discuss, not a u-turn on IHT, instead a better turn, removing IHT and putting in place the now much talked about UK-wide Farm Welfare Bill which, if in place, would return farmers a minimum of the true cost of production inflation linked, plus a margin for their produce and the UK will boom Increasing UK tax receipts beyond your comprehension.
“We have fed the people 24/7 365 faithfully and increasingly efficiently through two World Wars and every day since, until now, when corporate food retailers, corporate food wholesalers and corporate food processors have taken our efficiencies, our profits and our dignity, then you, Reeves and Starmer and the Labour Government, are set to finish us with IHT today!”
Mr Taylor continued: “Reeves and Starmer, stop killing the people that feed you – take a good look at the efficient machines famers have brought here today. This took massive time, effort and expense to be here today, and it will take these people days to catch up on their farm duties and sleep!”
He added: “I said at the beginning my message was short and clear – we, the UK’s family farmers, hold the power of veto on your IHT Bill between now and next March. I repeat Chancellor Reeves, meet us. We have written to you five times since 10 December 2024 and the sixth time you replied with a letter from the Treasury extolling the virtues of IHT.
“Our farmers here today are tired. They are tired working for a loss, their families and staff are tired, helping to feed the nation 24/7 365 including Christmas Day for less and less!
“With a recent poll indicating 51 per cent of farmers are considering leaving the industry, and with 40 per cent of farmers over retirement age and with every 10 farms closing, little over half are being replaced with new entrants – the UK’s food supply is now in jeopardy!
“So meet us – you know how to contact us, you have our details – between now and next March or face not a fuel strike but a farm strike!
“Remember, this will be much easier for our UK family farmers than getting here today. We will simply stay at home and keep our produce at home until you see sense and we will have the support of UK family businesses and working people.
“Enough is enough of pillaging family farmers, small and medium sized businesses and working people with IHT and other taxes.
“Do the right thing – meet us and turn the UK around. We hold the keys, with a UK-wide Farm Welfare Bill, copied from the NI Farm Welfare Bill currently with Stormont Agriculture Committee, consign IHT to the BIN and make the UK flourish,” the Farmers For Action NI co-ordinator concluded.