SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE FARMING COMMUNITY

On Tuesday I joined thousands of farmers in London to protest against the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) changes announced in the Budget and to highlight the many challenges currently facing British Agriculture, writes James Hill.

The arguments both for and against the change to APR have been widely reported, so I won’t repeat them here.  But it was an eye-opener as to the depth of disappointment, worry, angst and frustration felt by the agricultural community – hence the high turnout at the rally.

As Clive Bailye, founder of The Farming Forum, said before the rally, “As shock turned to anger in farming communities, it became clear that there was need for an event where those affected were able to demonstrate to politicians the enormity of the effect their poorly conceived policy will have upon the next generation of Britain’s farmers.”

Farmers’ Weekly backed that view, saying, “The London Farming Rally represents a critical moment for the UK’s farming community. It’s an opportunity for farmers to come together, raise their voices, and demand that the government reconsider policies that threaten their livelihoods.”

Organisers went out of their way to present a positive and responsible face to the wider public, with a peaceful atmosphere and participants encouraged to leave the protest route clean and litter-free.  Unlike some farming protests we have seen overseas, London was not brought to a standstill by a sea of agricultural machinery; just two tractors were permitted within the rally area; one outside Downing Street and one parked next to the women’s war memorial.

As well as stating their case, the day seemed to me to be useful in reminding individual farmers that they are not alone in their concerns, and that the farming community is strongest when it comes together.

In that sense, the rally was inspiring. But will it make any difference?  That is a more difficult question to answer, in that we have a government which claims it has a pressing need to raise taxes to plug a hole in the public finances.

Uncertainty over whether the government is listening is no reason not to take action.  Despite the constant drizzle, Tuesday felt as if farming’s voice could at least be heard – and surely that is better than sitting at home and meekly accepting our fate.