Hundreds Converge in Perth for Tractor Convoy Protest Against Tax Changes
In a powerful display of unity and resistance, over 200 individuals, accompanied by a convoy of 70 tractors and 20 pick-ups, gathered in Perth’s South Inch to protest against proposed tax changes affecting the agriculture sector. The demonstration, which took place on Sunday, February 2, saw farmers from across Perthshire bearing placards with messages such as ‘No farms. No food. No future’ as they voiced their concerns over the UK Government’s decision to alter Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) regulations.
The farmers and their supporters believe that the proposed APR amendments are fundamentally flawed and could have detrimental effects on family farms, ultimately posing a threat to food production in the UK. They have called for a reversal of the plans and urged for alternative solutions to be considered. NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy, himself a Perthshire farmer, highlighted the distress and uncertainty these changes have caused within the farming community, emphasising the potential negative impacts on both the agricultural sector and the nation’s food security.
Scheduled to take effect from April 2026, the proposed tax changes stipulate that while the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets will retain exemption from Inheritance Tax (IHT), any value exceeding this threshold would receive a maximum relief of 50%. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) estimates that around 70,000 farms could be affected by these adjustments, potentially leading to significant financial burdens for farm owners and operators.
Perth and Kinross, renowned for its substantial agricultural industry, is expected to bear a significant brunt of these changes, with local politicians, including Pete Wishart MP, Dave Doogan MP, and Jim Fairlie MSP, expressing their solidarity with the farming community and promising to advocate for their cause in parliament. They have lambasted the UK Government for what they perceive as ill-considered and damaging policies that could jeopardise the viability of family farm businesses across Scotland.
The rally in Perth stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the agricultural community in the face of adversity, showcasing their unwavering commitment to preserving the integrity and sustainability of farming practices in the region.