Somerset’s iconic A303 was brought to a slow crawl today as tractors rumbled along in a powerful protest against government plans to overhaul inheritance tax rules for farmers.
The message from farmers was clear that Britain’s agricultural backbone is ready to dig in its heels against policies they say threaten the future of family farming.
Around 50 tractors formed a go-slow convoy along the A303 between Ilminster and Sparkford. The protest, orchestrated by the group Farmers to Action, aimed to raise awareness of the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax. Farmers fear the new rules could spell financial ruin for many family-run farms.
Under current rules, agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) significantly reduce the inheritance tax liability for family farms and businesses. However, changes set to come into effect in April 2026 will limit the 100 per cent relief to the first £1 million of agricultural and business property combined. Estates exceeding this threshold will face a 20 per cent tax on the excess, a move many argue will disproportionately harm mid-sized family farms.
“This isn’t just about us,” said Will Blake, a sheep and arable farmer from South Petherton. “We’re feeding the nation, but the government’s making it harder for us to carry on. There’s not enough money in the job to pay this tax, so how do they expect us to survive?”
Farmers like Nigel Witcombe of Merriott highlighted the devastating personal impact. “I’m the last of the line,” he explained. “The tax is such that you’ve got to sell the unit to pay it, and that’s the end of it for my children. We’re asset rich but cash poor. If the government wants to do us out of business, fine, but what will they eat tomorrow?”
This sentiment echoed throughout the day, with tractors emblazoned with signs calling for fairness and food security. Former MP Neil Parish, himself a farmer, lent his voice to the growing unrest.
“I’ve never seen the farming community so worried. Farmers are being targeted politically, and it’s inhumane. These families work hard, but they’re being asked to pay money they simply don’t have,” he said.
The government has defended its decision, stating the changes are aimed at making tax reliefs fairer and redirecting funds to public services. According to official figures, the top seven per cent of APR claimants account for 40 per cent of the relief’s value, with the wealthiest 2 per cent receiving £119 million.
“It’s not fair for a small number of claimants to claim so much relief when these funds could support public services,” a government spokesperson said.
Despite the government’s efforts to offset the changes with a £5 billion support package for food production and recovery funds, farmers remain unconvinced.
“What they’re offering won’t touch the sides,” said Nick Wakely, chair of South Petherton Parish Council. “My grandfather built our farm from seven acres in the 1940s. We’ve worked hard to keep it alive, but this legislation makes it nearly impossible to pass on to the next generation. What happens when family farms can’t survive?”
Nick added that maintaining public support is crucial. “We’re doing our best to avoid disruption today, sticking to single file and keeping a safe distance. The public needs to understand that these policies will affect them too—through rising food prices and reduced local produce.”
Today’s protest may be the beginning of a wider movement. “We’re showing that we won’t back down,” said Nigel Witcombe. “If the government doesn’t listen, we’ll ramp up the pressure.”
Farmers to Action has hinted at further demonstrations.
Nigel added: “Today is about an awareness day that the infrastructure that we’ve got, the power that we’ve got in our tractors to cause people to focus on what the problem is, that’s what we’re trying to do today and then the government will realise how serious we are.”