Midlands Farmers, a group born in the wake of Labour's new budget, are planning to hold a gathering in Melton town centre, to show support for the Agricultural industry.
It comes after thousands of farmers took to London to protest over the changes to ingeritance tax for farmers that were announced in the recent budget.
While another protest is planned in London for Wednesday 11th December, a local group is aiming to hold a gathering in Melton and are urging for the public to show their support.
The event, which has been backed by the Melton & Syston Conservatives, is due to be held in Melton Town centre at 12pm on Monday 9th December in the Market Place.
Farmers will be holding a gathering in Melton Market Place to show their support for the industry. Photo: NEMM
A statement issued by Midlands Farmers Chairman Simon Orson, who is also a Melton Borough Councillor, said: "During Covid, farmers were seen as key workers and only a few short years later, they are seen as unnecessary. The agricultural industry is in an industry which is vitally important to the stability of the area and Country.
Labour’s budget will have a devastating impact on farms, many of which have been held in the same family for generations. Labour stated that they weren’t going to introduce APR, they said that they wanted a new relationship with farmers, they said they backed British farming, they said they want a budget of growth. Farmers have been misled; the British public has been misled.
Farmers aren’t making vast amounts of money to pay this inheritance tax bill; the average household share of farm business income was £22,200. Farming is not a 9-5, it’s 5-9. Farmers put unbelievable hours in, often without much reward other than the pride of growing food for the nation.
Increasing costs of production, climate change and restricted incomes means many farmers are operating at a loss. The UK has the cheapest food in Western Europe, that is only because of government support and that is being ripped from the UK farmer, margins are tight or non-existent already, food prices will have to go up, or farmers will have to go out of business, no farmers, no food!"
It added that while you might not be connected to agriculture, you are connected to food.
The statement added: "We are asking all farmers, members of the public to join us for our gathering on Monday 9th December 2024. Please come and support the most vital sector that impacts directly on all our well-being.
We need your support. If you are a hospitality business owner or employee, publican or food producer please come along and support our farmers."
Supporters are asked to arrive by 11.30am and make their way to the Melton Mowbray Town Centre where there will be a gathering and speakers who have invaluable knowledge of the Farmer and Food sector.
Leicestershire Police has confirmed that their rural policing team are aware of the plans and will continue to monitor any future developments.
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