Farmers to hold ‘national strike’ against inheritance tax changes, disrupting supermarket meat and crop supplies

British farmers are set to stage a “national strike” next week, banning meat and produce from supermarkets in protest against Labour’s new inheritance tax policies.

Starting on Sunday, thousands of farmers plan to take part in the week-long strike, which includes a march in London on November 19, where more than 10,000 farmers are expected to rally against tax changes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The policy imposes a 20% inheritance tax on previously exempt farms worth more than £1m, raising concerns that it will force many farmers to sell parts of their operations, threatening the viability of traditional family farms. Enough is Enough protest group, which represents striking farmers, warned of severe impacts on the industry, saying: “British farmers have simply had enough. We cannot feed the public under these conditions.”

The strike will result in non-perishable items, such as meat and some crops, being withheld from supermarkets, potentially impacting food supplies. UK farms supply around 80% of the country’s beef, 90% of its fresh poultry, and large portions of lamb, pork and wheat. However, dairy farmers are exempt from the strike due to the perishability of milk and eggs.

Tim Taylor, one of the strike organizers and owner of an animal feed company, noted that the goal of the strike was to “disrupt supermarket shelves, not destroy them,” with the aim of gaining public support.

Industry concerns and their effects on mental health

The tax changes have raised major concerns throughout the farming community, with some farmers fearing they will be the last to keep their family business. Welsh farmer Gareth Wyn Jones has expressed his decision to join the strike, citing the need to protect the future of his family’s 375-year-old agricultural legacy.

Mental health support lines for farmers have reported an increase in calls since the policy was announced, and the family of South Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth, 78, revealed he took his own life shortly before the Budget to prevent his children from facing inheritance tax.

The strike coincides with a “mass pressure event” organized by the National Farmers’ Union, where nearly 2,000 farmers are expected to meet with MPs. In addition, farmers are planning to protest at the Welsh Labor Party conference in Llandudno on Friday and may stop sewage collection from water companies as an additional measure.

The government says the changes to the inheritance tax aim to protect family farms while meeting public service needs, noting that the amendments will not affect the “vast majority of farmers”. However, many farmers believe the measures put the future of UK farming at risk, with some groups suggesting the measure could lead to more French-style protests if their concerns are not addressed.