Dozens of tractors expected to head over the Humber Bridge in ‘day of unity’ for farmers

Recent tractor gathering in Beverley in protest at changes to inheritance tax for farmers
-Credit:Hull Live


Dozens of tractors are expected to muster at an East Yorkshire farm before heading across the Humber Bridge on Saturday.

In what has been described as a “day of unity”, the Humber Bridge Tractor Run, a charity event, has been organised by a group of farmers to highlight how they say the farming industry will be affected by the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax. Local MPs have been invited along to the event, which begins at 11am for a noon crossing of the bridge.

It is the latest in a number of initiatives to draw attention to farmers' concerns and demonstrate their frustrations over the plans announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last October. She said farms worth more than £1m will be liable to pay 20 per cent inheritance tax from April 2026 having previously been exempt from these taxes.

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A gathering and procession of tractors recently took place at Beverley Westwood and, last week, a number of farmers staged peaceful protests in supermarket car parks, parking up with their tractors and chatting to people to raise awareness among shoppers and the stores themselves.

Stephen Ridsdale, a third-generation farmer who farms at Bielby, near Pocklington, is one of the tractor run organisers. He said: “We have invited local MPs to come along and to give them a hamper of British food to demonstrate what we do and to offer them a tractor ride across the bridge and back.

“It might give us an opportunity to talk to them about what our problems are and what the solutions might be. We think about 50 or so tractors will be taking part, although it’s really difficult to determine, as when we had the rallies in Beverley and at York, there were a number who just turned up.

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“Last week when we parked in the supermarket car parks and wanted to talk to the public, it went really well. As a result of that, and the discussions we have been having with supermarkets, the supermarkets are recommending to Government that they consult on the changes to agricultural inheritance tax, as there is an issue with their food supply chains and food security.”

Stephen, 51, said: “It seems a very unfair tax. I’m the third generation on this farm and I would hope my son, who is 12, would like to carry it on, but if we have to sell 20 per cent of the land off – we’re only a smallish farm – it’s whether it would be viable.”

The public will be able to see the tractor procession from the Humber Bridge car park, the bridge footpaths and viewing areas. Cash donations on the day will go towards a local food bank.

The meeting point for tractors is a farm 2.9km north of the Humber Bridge, between Swanland and Anlaby, on the roundabout at the junction of the A164 and B1231, farm entrance is heading east off the roundabout, signposted Anlaby (What Three Words location is ///chat.frozen.cabbies). Drivers, who are to pay their own bridge toll, will head south over the bridge, turn at the Barton-upon-Humber roundabout and return north across the bridge.

To gauge numbers, participants are asked to pre-register at https://bit.ly/3PJAChh and can call 07870 853959 for more details.