Doncaster farmers have blockaded supermarket depots, telling GB News they are “fed up” of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer’s inheritance tax raid.
Earlier this month, a fleet of protesters across Peterborough, Doncaster and Hinckley descended on three Tesco distribution centres to halt loaded lorries in their tracks.
Over Christmas, Chancellor Rachel Reeves diluted the inheritance taxes slapped on agricultural assets following persistent backlash from raging rural voters.
The move meant assets under £2.5million could be inherited without having to pay tax, rather than the lower amount of £1million.
Yet farmers remain dissatisfied, with rural communities reviving blockades across supermarket distrubition centres, with GB News reporting live on the ground in Doncaster.
Dairy farmer Sue Flower told GB News they have reached their boiling point, adding: “We are fed up of being shafted.
“We need some support from the supply chain. And we’re appealing to the retailer to come and be that support and represent us as primary producers.”
Ms Flower urged for dialogue to be introduced into the supply chain, which she claims is often lacking within the process altogether.
Speaking to GB News reporter Anna Riley, she added: “The message to the public is thank you for your support.
Doncaster farmers have blockaded supermarket depots today
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GB NEWS
“Food security in Britain is crucial for national security, and I think a lot of people realise that we get a lot of support from the general public, and we’re eternally thankful for that.
“But the retailers need to come and start talking to us.
“We are left out in the cold as individual farmers. We don’t have a voice at the Government table.
“And retailers have their big corporations and they can sit at the table with the Government, and they need to be that voice between them and us.”
Farmers remain dissatisfied with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor
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GB NEWS
Pleading for Labour’s 16th U-turn since entering No10, Ms Flowers added it was “not just for farming but for all people in all walks of life”.
She fumed: “This death tax, it needs scrapping totally. And we don’t want to leave any farmers. Still some farmers will be hit very hard with the inheritance tax as it is today.”
As a result of the changes not being drastic enough, farmers have since issued a stern warning to Labour.
They have claimed their blockade of supermarket distribution centres will occur once a week until March when spring drilling takes place.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch agreed farmers had “legitimate criticism” of supermarkets, arguing the protest in question did not “actually work” and advocated more pragmatic solutions.
She told GB News: “I think that farmers have a legitimate criticism of supermarkets. It is very difficult for farmers. Many of them are leaving farming because it’s just too hard.
“I think the best way to solve this is to have more pragmatic solutions. I don’t think picketing actually works.
“I think that the supermarkets will continue to do what they do, and may even dig their heels in if they feel that the action is becoming violent.
“What we need to do is make sure that we can get farmers around the table with the supermarkets, and the Government should help arbitrate and mediate.”
