What are those farmers going on about now?

A Disconnect in the Farming and Nature Movements

In June of this year, over 60,000 people marched on Parliament to campaign for a better deal for nature. More recently, over 10,000 farmers gathered in Westminster to demand a better deal for their profession. At first glance, these two demonstrations might seem to have opposing interests, but upon closer inspection, the underlying goals are surprisingly aligned. Both groups are asking for a better, fairer future—not just for those directly involved, but for the environment, food production, and society at large.

It’s deeply disappointing, then, that these two causes seem at odds with one another. After all, the nature marchers were calling for a doubling of funds for both farming and nature preservation. Most farmers, in turn, want to farm in ways that support the natural environment. So why is there such division, and why have these events been so differently covered in the media?

The Missed Opportunity of the Nature March

The nature march, despite its scale and ambitious demands, made very few headlines. Many people may not even be aware it took place, and it certainly hasn't had a noticeable impact on government policy. Contrast this with the recent farmer protests, which have received extensive news coverage. The media coverage disparity begs the question: Why the difference?

Some have speculated that social media has been used to manipulate public opinion, inciting anger and division, much like what we saw with the riots following the Southport killings in October. It’s possible that the farming community, too, has been influenced by these external forces, with social media amplifying certain grievances and fostering a sense of urgency around issues like inheritance tax, rather than more pressing topics like climate change or sustainable farming practices.

Why the Focus on Inheritance Tax?

I find it perplexing that there is an outcry over inheritance tax. The reality is that only a small minority of farms will be affected by this tax, and it’s simply the reinstatement of a levy that existed until 1984. The exemption that farmers and landowners have enjoyed since then was a privilege granted by the Thatcher government. It allowed the wealthiest individuals to purchase farmland as a means of avoiding inheritance tax, a practice that continues today with the likes of high-profile figures such as Jeremy Clarkson and James Dyson.

The reality is that this measure, aimed at reducing land prices inflated by tax loopholes, could actually benefit the farming community in the long run. But the truth is, the ‘half-price’ tax is still a good deal for the wealthiest landowners and won’t stop them inflating land values for their own ends. So, the farmer protest might actually need to be about removing the ‘half-price’ inheritance band and raising it the 40% that everyone else (including other family run businesses) have to pay.

So why, then, is this the issue farmers have chosen to focus on, when so many larger, more urgent issues affect their livelihoods?

Farmers’ Real Struggles: Climate Change, Fair Profits, and Sustainability

In Wales, 68% of farm incomes come directly from government support payments. This heavy reliance on subsidies is often justified by the need for cheap food. This means taxpayers are funding the agricultural system so, it seems entirely reasonable to ask: why shouldn’t the wealthiest landowners contribute a little more to the public purse?

This brings us to a larger question: what are farmers really protesting for? The slogan "no farmers, no food" is catchy, but it oversimplifies the complexities of modern farming. Yes, farmers produce our food, but not all farming is directly related to food production. Many farms grow crops for biofuels, ornamental plants like Christmas trees and pumpkins, bird seed, birds for shooting, raw ingredients for the chemical industry or crops that feed animals rather than humans. Furthermore, much of the food produced is processed into ultra-processed foods, which are increasingly being recognized as harmful to our health.

If we truly want to ensure a sustainable and healthy food system, the focus needs to shift. Farmers should be protesting for the right to earn a fair profit on the food they produce. The subsidies they receive should be aimed at supporting real, healthy food—locally grown fruits and vegetables, ethically raised meat, and sustainable farming practices. The fact that some of the most basic, nutritious foods like lamb and beef are priced out of reach for many people shows that farm subsidies are not achieving their intended outcomes. Instead of subsidising the cost of ultra-processed food, we should be making healthy, local food more accessible.

A Call for Change: Redirecting Support for Sustainable Food Production

Rather than simply defending the status quo, perhaps it’s time to reimagine farm support payments. What if these payments were directed not towards subsidizing cheap ultra processed food (and other farm products beyond the food chain), but towards ensuring the availability of affordable, healthy, and sustainable food? This would benefit the small, family-run farms that are already doing the right thing, as well as the general public who could enjoy the health benefits of properly grown produce.

Farm support payments could be used to incentivize sustainable farming practices, such as crop diversification, organic farming, or agroforestry. It could also encourage farmers to transition towards low-carbon emitting machinery or promote environmental practices like better water management, drainage basins, and tree planting. It’s clear that we need to support farmers in combating the very real challenges of climate change. Unfortunately, this is an area where the media has largely failed to capture the true vulnerability of farmers.

The Role of Farmers in the Climate Change Fight

Farmers are arguably the most vulnerable sector to the effects of climate change. Last year, farmers were grappling with droughts. This year, many are struggling with waterlogged land. These changing conditions make it incredibly difficult to work the land, yet farmers remain relatively quiet about the solutions they need. Why aren’t they demanding more support for low-carbon farming technology? Why aren’t they advocating for more efforts to reach NetZero? Why aren’t they calling for more tree planting and better flood management strategies?

The absence of these conversations in mainstream media is troubling. Instead of leading the charge against climate change, too many of our farmers seem to be distracted by short-term issues like inheritance tax. This could be a real opportunity for farmers to take the reins in advocating for a healthier environment, but instead, we see a narrow focus on financial grievances that don’t tackle the systemic issues at play.

A New Perspective on Farming: Meeting the Real Heroes

As someone who has seen firsthand the dedication of many farmers, I want to emphasize that there are incredible farmers out there—people working tirelessly to produce healthy, sustainable food while also managing the land with respect for nature. These farmers are the real superheroes of the farming world, and their voices deserve to be heard.

That’s why I’m hosting two workshops in June 2025 to introduce some of these amazing individuals. At these workshops, you’ll meet farmers like Teleri, who’s tackling the biodiversity crisis head-on, or Celyn, a hardworking mum doing her part to produce food sustainably in Wales. These are intelligent, thoughtful, and dedicated farmers who are trying to balance nature preservation with food production, and they deserve our support.

If you want to learn more about how farmers can be part of the solution to environmental challenges, join us in June. Come see what these farmers are doing and hear their stories firsthand. These are the voices we should be amplifying—not the voices of a minority fighting over inheritance tax exemptions.

Conclusion: A Call for Unity and Action

Farming is facing unprecedented challenges, but it’s crucial that we address these issues with a clear-eyed view of the bigger picture. Instead of focusing on divisive issues that pit farmers against nature groups, we need to find common ground and work together for a future where both food production and nature thrive.

The farmers I know are doing everything they can to adapt to changing conditions, to produce good food in an ethical way, and to ensure a future for farming that supports both the environment and the economy. Their voices, however, are often drowned out by political rhetoric and media sensationalism. It’s time for a new narrative—one that supports the farmers who are genuinely working to make a difference.

If you care about the future of farming, food, and nature, come meet the real heroes behind the farm gates.