Farmers Warn of Food Shortages from Inheritance Tax Changes

Farmers in the UK are expressing outrage over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent decision to impose a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural properties valued over £1 million, effective from April 2026. This change, which removes a previous exemption, has been described as a 'kick in the bullocks' and could jeopardize family farms, leading to dramatic food shortages and increased reliance on foreign produce. Critics, including farmers and politicians, argue that the new tax will create uncertainty and financial burdens that may force many family farms to sell off their land. Estimates suggest that this change could impact over 70,000 farms, threatening the future of family farming in the UK. Farmers warn that such policies could lead to a significant decline in home-grown food production, ultimately affecting food security across the nation. The agricultural community is considering a rally in London to protest these new policies, emphasizing the potential devastation to the farming industry.