The gathering followed by a rally, which was part of a national movement led by Farmers to Action, drew widespread support from the farming community, who fear the policy could devastate rural economies and jeopardize the nation’s food security.
The government announced the controversial measure in last year’s budget, introducing inheritance tax for agricultural estates valued at over £1 million. Farmers argue that this policy unfairly burdens small, family-run farms and threatens their survival.
Farmers depart Thruxton Race Circuit, Hampshire, for a national tractor rally organised by Farmers To ActionThe Andover protest began with a gathering at Thruxton, where local farmer Kurt Morton, owner of Manor Farm, delivered a passionate speech on behalf of Farmers to Action.
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“The inheritance tax that’s been implemented by the government will cause a food emergency,” he said.
“Empty shelves will be the direct result of this policy. The inheritance tax will impact a multitude of families and small businesses across our country. If inheritance tax is not reversed, we are looking at tidal waves of farms and businesses disappearing across the UK and economic catastrophe.
“Our farmers’ foods are the best in the world, grown to the highest quality, and as British farmers, we are proud to provide for the great British public. If our farms are lost, who’s going to feed everyone? Do we really want to depend on foreign imports? British people deserve better. They deserve homegrown food security.”
Among the protesters was Jim Lindsay, a 54-year-old deer manager from Shipton Bellinger, who spoke about the far-reaching consequences of the tax.
“The impact on all the employees, the infrastructure, and everything related to farming will have a huge knock-on effect,” Mr Lindsay said.
Carl Farrelly, 43, of Snoddington Farm, said: “If you need food, you need somebody to farm it. Without the farmers, there’s no food on the table.”
Reform UK’s Romsey branch supported the protest, with members waving flags and carrying banners on top of a bridge over the A303 near Thruxton.
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Reform UK in Romsey and Southampton North Paul Barrett said: “The British people love our farmers, they often work all hours and face enormous challenges not only from the environment but also from all the regulations imposed on them, colossal energy costs, and constant pressure from supermarkets.
“Farmers are admired for their contributions; they feed the nation. When politicians say they won’t raise taxes or APR to get voted in and then roll back on their promise, it leaves a complete deficit in democracy.
“That impacts farmers and all small to medium businesses in Romsey andSouthampton North.”
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Tom Martindale, a farmer and butcher from Anna Valley who runs Greenfield Farm Shop, supported the protest by providing hot dogs to all the farmers who gathered at Thruxton.
Following the speeches, the protest transitioned into a tractor rally, with farmers driving their tractors from Thruxton along the A303 to the junction near Basingstoke Crematorium, before returning to their farms.
Crowds lined bridges above the A303, waving and cheering in solidarity.