Bidlea Dairy farmers join inheritance tax protest rally in London

Bidlea Dairy was among 20,000 farmers and their families taking part in the Westminster demonstration on Tuesday.

Since 1992, agricultural property relief (APR) has meant family farms have been passed down tax-free to bolster food security and keep people working on the land.

The budget changed this so that from April 2026, the full 100 per cent relief from inheritance tax will be restricted to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.

Above this amount, landowners will pay inheritance tax at a reduced rate of 20 per cent, rather than the standard 40 per cent.

From left, Andrew Venables and Adam Brown bring fresh farm produce to donate to a foodbank in London (Image: Supplied)

Farmers argue that while they are asset rich in terms of their land and livestock, they are cash poor and the changes would mean they would have to sell up to pay the tax.

Bidlea Dairy farmer Adam Brown, from Goostrey, said: “Me and dad went to London on the train to try and make the government aware of what impact this will have on farming.

“It definitely worries us.

“We would have to sell land to try and recuperate some money and that would mean reducing our livestock.

Bidlea Dairy brought their fresh products to the rally to show what could be lost if farms are forced to close (Image: Supplied)

“This would have a knock-on effect.

“A lot of farms are on such tight margins, they will no longer be viable.”

The Brown family has run the dairy farm at Orchard Farm in Twemlow for three generations.

From left, Ryan, Becky, Adam and Becky with their daughters celebrating success showing calves (Image: Supplied)

Countless top accolades have been bestowed on their Holstein Friesian herd, plus international gold awards for their ice cream.

Ray and Jill remain at the helm whilst son Adam and wife Becky run the dairy and son Ryan and Becky look after the farm.

Ray and Jill Brown with their family on the Bidlea Dairy farm (Image: Supplied)

The boys’ sister Melanie also helps out.

The family now runs a dairy processing plant, shop and café, alongside the farm, employing 50 staff, including 19 family members.

Adam said: “Our plan is for our daughters to carry on the farm and dairy in the future.

Adam Brown, bottom right, joins farmers at the protest rally (Image: Supplied)

“Farmers put food on the plate for everyone.

“As a country, we’ve got the best products and best welfare standards.

“If farms are no longer viable, we will end up having to import food from abroad which will come at a cost and no traceability.

“All local farm shops will be gone.

“Farmers also look after the environment, water courses, hedges and fields.

“If that all goes to waste, who is going to look after the countryside?”

Farmers, he said, already struggle with soaring costs of fuel, feed, fertiliser and other essentials.

Tax changes are piling on more pressure.

Adam said: “It was uplifting to be with so many farmers from all over the country.

“A lot of families were there with their grandparents and toddler kids.

“This is their future and our future.

“We just hope the government will listen and change their mind.”

There is a big discrepancy about precisely how many farmers might be affected.

Labour says the tax could raise £200 million a year and will affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year.

However, the National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association have estimated up to 70,000 farms worth more than £1 million could be affected.