Farmers warn of continued protests following port blockade over tax dispute

Farmers who obstructed access to Wales’ largest port have stated that additional demonstrations are anticipated, asserting that the “Welsh and UK governments are not listening.” Forty tractors were positioned in front of Holyhead Port on Anglesey, extending into the early hours of Thursday. This action resulted in service delays, stemming from proposed revisions to inheritance tax affecting farmers. This event occurred one day after farmers had conducted a protest at the Port of Dover. According to the port, the disruption commenced at 22:00 GMT on Wednesday. While cars and foot passengers were permitted to disembark, lorries experienced delays lasting several hours, which led to consequential delays for later services. The UK government intends to implement system changes from April 2026, proposing a 20% tax on agricultural property valued at more than £1 million. The Treasury indicates that only 500 farms annually across Britain will be impacted, and a couple retains the ability to transfer £3 million in assets without incurring inheritance tax. However, numerous farmers dispute this assessment, asserting that they are being “clobbered.” Dyfan Jones, one of the protesters, stated that the aim was a peaceful demonstration in Holyhead, independently organized by farmers in north Wales. He commented, “We are trying to show how strongly we feel about the future of the food industry, this line is very fragile.” He added, “People are fed up now and there’s fire in the bellies of the farmers here, they are furious.” “We knew there’d been a protest in Dover, so we decided to show solidarity by closing Holyhead to try to slow down the food supply to try to show people how vulnerable it is,” he explained. He concluded, “We’re in a battle with Cardiff and Westminster… it’s very fragile and the industry is ageing… it’s very worrying and if we are not careful it will be too late.” Stenaline, the operators of Holyhead Port, issued a statement: “A number of protesters and vehicles arrived at Holyhead Port blocking entry to the port in response to elements of the recent [UK] government budget announcements.” Their statement continued: “Car traffic and foot passengers from incoming ferries disembarked safely and were permitted to exit the port through an alternative route.” “At 02:00, the demonstration ceased, and normal port operations resumed,” Stenaline confirmed. The UK Treasury had previously stated its intention to adopt “a fair and balanced approach” to inheritance tax relief, aiming to contribute to the funding of public services. Last month, during her budget presentation, Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared that farms with a valuation exceeding one million pounds would be subject to inheritance tax at a 20% rate, payable in instalments over a decade, commencing in April 2026.