NFU issues plea to farmers who are not registered for mass lobby: ‘Don’t travel to London’

NFU has issued a letter to all farmer and grower members to update them on its campaign to stop the family farm tax and the mass lobby that is set to take place on 19th November at Church House conference centre at Westminster. 

Farmers will meet with MPs to talk about the changes announced in the Budget, including Agriculture Property Relief and Business Property Relief. 

The union said that the demand for the event has been “amazing”, with 1,800 NFU members registering their intention to come. The organiser tripled our capacity in Church House from the original 600, which is what the venue holds, to 1,800, via three rotations of 600. 

NFU said that this will ensure that they can accommodate as many members as possible to the mass lobby, but they cannot make it any larger. More details will follow on logistics for the day. 

However, NFU has also issued a plea to farmers who did not register to take part in the mass lobby or were too late to book a space. 

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Please don’t travel to London 

NFU said: “There are legal issues, which mean we can’t simply turn up in numbers in Westminster on the streets, or the open spaces. We cannot risk either member or public safety, or the loss of public support, that could come from what could be an illegal demonstration. 

“But far more than 1,800 NFU members want their voice to be heard, and rightly. The level of anger in the industry may never have been so high. 

“So whilst our mass lobby event is at capacity and we are asking members who have not registered not to do so now, we want this to be the first event, not the only event, where you can be heard. 

“If you’re not registered on the event, please don’t travel to London. There’s another opportunity to make clear how you feel.” 

The union added that the event happening on 19th Novebmer is “just the start of this fight”.

“If the government listens to us, before or after the 19th, we’ll all be relieved. But if it doesn’t, this event will be followed by another, at which farmers and growers will demonstrate how we feel about this devastating policy.  

“If we need it, that will be our show of mass unity and strength.If government continues to refuse to listen, this will be step two. 

“Ministers need to understand that we won’t get tired, that we won’t go away, that this campaign will go on for as long as this terrible decision stands. If they think we’ll give up, it just shows how much they don’t understand farmers.”

We need you to be ready to march

NFU concluded the letter by thanking farmers for their passion and support, adding that if they did not register for the mass lobby, they have not lost their chance to have their voice heard.  

“If we don’t get the family farm tax scrapped before it, we need you to be ready to march. That is our moment to rally. 

“Between now and then you can really help by asking to meet your own MP and telling them what the IHT policy means for you, your family, your farm and your future. We must keep the pressure up.” 

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