'Fight we will not abandon' - Shropshire and Staffordshire farmers join banner campaign to stop family farm tax

The NFU, in collaboration with farming unions NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, has stepped up its #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign with a national display of solidarity – the Big Banner Day.

Roadside and gate banners are being displayed across the country now and into January to amplify the message that the proposed changes to inheritance tax threaten the future of family farms. 

The banners, designed to be highly visible in key political constituencies, aim to keep public attention and build political pressure on the devastating impact these changes would have on farming families and rural communities.

Father and son Oliver and Ed Garratt, who keep sheep by The Wrekin, have been busy putting up banners with NFU members in the county alongside the A5 towards Oswestry, the M54 and at sites on the A49 at Shrewsbury.

Ed, who is NFU Shropshire county adviser, said: “Shropshire farmers and growers and those up and down the country want to be focused on growing crops and rearing stock, producing that food for our towns and cities, helping the environment and working to grow the economy, but the family farm tax has created serious worry and concern about the future of our farms.

“Many may have to be broken up or sold to pay the tax man so this is the issue for county farmers at the moment and we are working hard with them and behind-the-scenes to keep the pressure up over the family farm tax.

“This is just the next step, with much more to follow in January and beyond, as we call on all of our politicians to back the industry and stop this destructive tax on family food producing businesses.”

 NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The Big Banner Day is a powerful visual reminder to the government that our fight to protect family farms is far from over. 

“These tax changes are unjust, based on flawed data and risk destroying the very backbone of British agriculture.

“Family farms have been at the heart of our rural communities for generations, producing high-quality food, supporting local communities and maintaining the beautiful landscapes we all value. The proposed changes threaten not just individual farming families, but the future of the heritage and traditions of an entire way of life.”

His words were echoed by farmer Jane Bassett, who represents NFU members across the Midlands as regional board chair, who said farmers and growers from all counties were involved to amplify the campaign message.

 “Farming families are proudly displaying these banners as part of the NFU’s ongoing campaign to overturn this family farm tax and we are amplifying our message to politicians and the public,” she said.

“This is the next step following the mass lobby in London and other events over December and will act as a strong visual presence to keep the political pressure up on MPs and remind people of the campaign against this insidious tax.

“The changes proposed are huge, both devastating financially to farmers as well as being based on flawed data."

“As a result the traditions that underpin our rural communities are under threat, as well as to food production, environmental delivery and the wider rural economy.”

To support the campaign, car stickers will also be available to boost visibility even further, allowing supporters to spread awareness wherever they travel and reinforce the call for action among the wider public.

Mr Bradshaw added: “Only a combination of public support and political pressure will lead to a change in this damaging policy. 

"The NFU is in a unique position to apply that pressure, bringing together stakeholders from across the country, coordinating efforts across all the home nations and leading a campaign to highlight the importance of protecting British family farms.

“We owe it to our farming families and to future generations to ensure these damaging proposals don’t undermine the future of food production. This is a fight we will not abandon, and we need everyone to stand with us.”

The team at RJ Bower Ltd have put a banner alongside the A449 near Penkridge.

Richard Bower, an NFU Staffordshire member, who farms at Lower Drayton, said: “We are in the business of producing food for our towns and cities alongside supporting the food and drink sector in Wolverhampton.

“We want to be focused on that alongside our work speaking to people about what we do, welcoming families to the farm and supporting the environment.

“Unfortunately, we are all in a position where the future looks bleak for many and I have not met a farmer or those involved in rural businesses who are not going to be affected by these tax changes and the Budget in some way.

“This could be absolutely devastating for family farms across Staffordshire and beyond.

“The NFU banner campaign is just the next step following the mass lobby in London and we are proud to make our voice heard on this critical issue.”