Cornwall farmers' protest against inheritance tax changes

The event, organised by Farmers' Movement Cornwall, saw members of the public join in the protest, showing their support for farming.

The wet weather on Saturday (November 23) did not deter the crowd, who assembled at Victoria Square in Truro at midday.

Many attendees had brought flags, placards, and yellow boards to show their support.

The wet weather did not deter people from showing their support (Image: Bobby Angelov, Newsquest)

Resident Jan Allen was among those in attendance, carrying a banner in support of the farmers.

She said: "I believe passionately in supporting British farmers, and I think in our country, we have the best food quality in the world.

"In Cornwall, we have a rich variety of cheese, vegetables, and meat, and it's all thanks to the farmers."

Jan Allen (left) says that the Government's inheritance tax plans are appalling (Image: Bobby Angelov, Newsquest)

She added that the Government's inheritance tax plans were 'appalling' and that farmers 'don't deserve such treatment'.

The Government's proposed inheritance tax on farmers has sparked concerns about the nation's food security.

Recommended reading:

• Pictures: 13,000 farmers attend London rally on November 19

• Steve Reed denies tax will hit most farms

• Cornwall farmers travel to London for IHT protest

At the rally, farmers had created a "coffin for the British produce", which featured produce grown in the area.

Farmers Movement Cornwall member and farmer, Peter Lawrence, addressed the crowd.

He said: "We are in a mess, and we need to sort it out very quickly.

Cornish farmers had created a coffin for the British produce (Image: Bobby Angelov, Newsquest)

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but the situation will get worse before it gets better.

"But we have no option; we need to defend British farming and food security in our country."

Mr Lawrence also criticised former Labour adviser John McTernan for suggesting farmers should be treated like miners under Margaret Thatcher's government.

He said both current and previous governments have undermined farming and rural communities.

Peter Lawrence, who is a farmer and part of Farmers Movement Cornwall, addressed the crowd (Image: Bobby Angelov, Newsquest)

Mr Lawrence believes further protests are 'inevitable', but stresses they must remain 'peaceful'.

He said: "We can succeed through educating people what this tax is about."

Following the rally, Cornwall Council is set to debate a motion titled Supporting Our Farmers, which challenges the Government’s 2024 tax plans.

(Image: Bobby Angelov/Newsquest) Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said she was 'pleased to be supporting this motion' and called on the Labour government to halt 'their harmful actions, now'.

The motion will be discussed on Tuesday, with many councillors expected to show their support for the farmers by wearing Wellington boots.

MP for Truro and Falmouth, Jayne Kirkham, told the Packet on Saturday: "This week I have met with farmers from Truro and Falmouth who made the trip up to London.

"Since the budget, nearly a month ago, I have engaged with the farming community - visiting farms, answering calls and replying to emails - to listen and learn about what the changes to APR mean for them and their families, while also engaging with the CLA and the NFU.

"I have also represented farmers' views to the government, raising the issue personally with Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs and DEFRA and Treasury officials during meetings with my fellow Labour Cornwall MPs.

(Image: Bobby Angelov/Newsquest) “I raised the issue of the Treasury figures again this week at the EFRA Select Committee when we questioned the Secretary of State.

"The new rules on inheritance tax are a complex financial issue and as I've previously written, they're a complex emotional issue too; a farm is also a home and the ‘inheritance’ for many farmers’ children isn’t sitting in a bank account, it’s folded into the fields, the livestock, the crops, and the years put into managing the land.

"The government has put a record amount of £5 billion into the farming budget. In the coming years Labour will seek a new veterinary agreement with the European Union to cut red tape at our borders and get British food exports moving again; protect farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals, something that was happening before we got into office; ensure that 50% of food brought in hospitals, army bases and prisons is locally produced or certified to high environmental standards; and provide £60 million through the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers affected by flooding last winter.

(Image: Bobby Angelov/Newsquest) "The inheritance tax rules have required reform for years. Everyone agrees that the tax loophole that has allowed millionaires to benefit from buying up land has to be closed.

"However, I do not want to see family farms, like those rallying this weekend in Truro, unfairly hit. I want to reassure farmers that if they fear the new APR reform will impact them and their families to contact me and I will provide as much assistance as I can to provide clarity regarding the proposals.

"Farmers have endured many challenges in recent years. Britain's food security is also our national security and on this issue, and others, I will always endeavour to ensure that the voice of Cornwall's rural community is heard at the top levels of government."