Harvest Harmony: Join Us for Unity Farming Day on January 25th!

This occasion will take place across the entirety of Britain, from Shetland to Cornwall, as well as from the Giant’s Causeway to Kent.

It will clearly demonstrate to MPs and ministers that agriculture throughout the UK stands united against this dreadful policy – a policy we were assured would never come to pass.

Importantly, these events give counties the opportunity to do what suits them best. Each will be organized locally, and they will not all be identical.

This is the moment for members to step forward and be visible, to express their opinions, and to ensure our campaign remains prominent in both public and media discussions.

We have compiled a toolkit of information on this page to aid in making each event a successful, secure, and impactful day. This toolkit is being distributed to county officeholders, regional directors, county advisers, and group secretaries.

Essential messages for the public

1. We simply want to continue farming, producing exceptional British food for the community, protecting the environment, and being integral to rural neighborhoods. Thank you for your backing.

2. The government did not consult anyone regarding this, and its data is inaccurate. Up to 75% of farms will be impacted, and for many, it will be the last straw.

3. Farms can appear to be very valuable on paper, but that worth won’t be realized unless the farm is sold. Farm revenues are often quite minimal. Farmers, who are already under significant stress, are being asked to find funds they do not possess to cover this tax, and when they fail to do so, their farm disappears.

Ways to get involved

Here are our primary suggestions for creating a straightforward display that will convey an impact and communicate the message to MPs and the public.

The ambiance of your event should remain positive. We aim to welcome the public and encourage them to support the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax initiative.

Do

• Host events on Saturday 25 January throughout your counties – seek approval from the landowner before establishing any display on private property, and comply with guidelines set for secure setup and breakdown.
• Establish a display in a town center, retail park, or another public space showcasing what you do as a farmer. This could feature a display of local products, farm equipment, and food samples, but the decision for what works best in your area is yours.
• Ensure your display is staffed at all times.
• If you wish to order campaign materials from the NFU Shop, the final date to order is Monday 20 January. Materials include banners, flags, car stickers, and posters. Campaign materials for members are offered at cost price.
• Print a campaign poster. The poster highlights five reasons why the farm tax should be abolished and features a QR code that directs individuals to a webpage where they can lend their support.
• Share details of your event with your regional office so they can upload information, enabling us to promote them on a Farming Day of Unity map.
• Ensure you possess Public Liability insurance. Your county adviser will inform you if the NFU’s public liability insurance will cover your display. Review the guidance from NFU’s legal team regarding event setup. Consult with your county adviser for assistance with completing a risk assessment for the event.
• Publicize your event. Collaborate with your local media adviser to achieve maximum media attention and visit our social media tips and graphics page to aid in sharing your story on the day.
• Capture photos of the day. Remember to obtain signed consent from anyone featured in the photographs if they are intended for publicity use.
• Motivate any farmers you know to reach out to their MP to articulate the effects of this poorly conceived policy.
• Send a letter to your local MP (Rich Text Document) informing them that the event is occurring and inviting them to attend.

Don’t

• Block roads or access points – the event must not interfere with the public in their daily activities. The public is not responsible for this unfortunate policy, and we must ensure we uphold the strong support that has been shown to us.
• Allow yourself to be vulnerable to inappropriate usage of red diesel. If machinery is utilized, it must be road taxed and NOT filled with red diesel unless the event serves an agricultural or charitable purpose. Some members are collecting £10 “entry” fees for tractors at their events and donating this amount to charity, which permits them to use red diesel. This is something you might consider. Please review the business guide for policy clarification – NFU Red Diesel Incorporating the Memorandum of Agreement for on-road use Business Guide.

A downloadable leaflet for the public will be accessible by 14 January, detailing more information about the campaign.