UK Farmers at Breaking Point: Budget Anger Sparks Mass Rally

11am Tuesday 19th November, Whitehall. Will you be there?

Occasionally I've been known to bang the drum on Industrial Hemp. Broadcasting on the regulatory difficulties farmers have faced in growing the stuff, to the red tape investors face in building a market for it. Today however, UK farmers are facing a much bigger, even unprecedented crisis. The recent budget announcement to impose a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million has left the agricultural community outraged. Many fear they’ll be forced to sell off land just to cover tax bills, threatening family-run farms and the security of our nation’s food supply.

The response: a rally that can’t be ignored

On November 19th, thousands of farmers will descend on London. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is leading a “mass lobby” at Church House, Westminster, but a separate march is expected to draw up to 10,000 people. Tractors and machinery will line the streets. Even celebrity farming advocate Jeremy Clarkson will reportedly be there to show his support.

Some farmers are warning that if their voices aren’t heard, more drastic action may follow: road blockades, port disruptions, and even withholding produce. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Why this matters: the threat to family farms and food security

For generations, farming has been more than a livelihood — it’s a legacy. But with high asset values and low liquidity, these tax changes could tear family farms apart, devastate rural communities, and raise food prices across the UK.

Hemp licensing reforms: small fry compared to this crisis

Now, I'd be remiss not to draw attention to last week’s hemp licensing reforms, which reduce red tape and extend license periods. They're a welcome but minor win. And, yes, they’re progress, but they barely scratch the surface of what’s needed to support UK agriculture during these turbulent times.

And so: the moment of truth

Tuesday 19th November could be a turning point. Will the government listen and reconsider, or will this rally mark the beginning of a much longer battle for our farmers? And will you be there – supporting the men, women, families and communities who put food on your table? We will be.

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