Raging farmers send 'militant action' warning as backlash soars over Labour tax grab

have issued a stark warning to over recent changes, threatening what they describe as "militant action" if the reforms go forward as planned.

The anger comes after introduced new inheritance tax limits for agricultural property, sparking outrage among farming communities.

Tom Bradshaw, the President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), called the reforms a "dramatic blow" to farmers and accused Labour of "ripping the rug" from under agricultural families.

Reeves announced that from April 2026, a 20 percent would apply to any agricultural assets above £1million passed on through inheritance.

And, following a meeting on Monday (November 5), Bradshaw said he had "never seen this level of anger" among NFU members adding that farmers feel blindsided by the decision.

"The outrage from members and farmers and rural communities is like I've never experienced before," he said.

He added that farmers had spoken of taking matters into their own hands.

"We've got many people - and we do not support this - talking about militant action. This is the only way they think their voices are going to be heard," Bradshaw explained.

He urged members to contact their local MPs to voice their opposition to the changes.

The tax move in question would impact inheritance on assets valued above £1 million, which Labour claims will only affect 27 percent of farms.

However, NFU analysis suggests the impact could be much higher, affecting up to 66 percent of farms, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) data.

"There is a massive discrepancy between the Defra figures and the Treasury figures," Bradshaw said.

Yorkshire dairy farmer Paul Tompkins, 44, is among those affected, and speaking to he described the policy as "a tax on my success over the next few years."

He said: "It might be my kids that have to pay for it and that just sticks in my throat a bit."

Tompkins added that farmers were used to working closely with the government on policy decisions, and the sudden change feels unfair.

He said: "To come along with a surprise, a policy on the table that's happening with no discussion, is not the way of effective governance."

The NFU claims the reforms could impact up to three-quarters of the UK's food production.

With that in mind, Bradshaw called on the government to withdraw the proposal and open consultations to fully understand the policy's effect on agriculture.

While Defra defended the changes, claiming most family farms would not be impacted, Bradshaw warned that the anger within the farming community was growing.

"We are at risk of serious unrest if this goes forward without discussion," he said.