Farmers light up the countryside with beacons in protest to Family Farm Tax

Farmers lit up the countryside on New Year's Eve with 'beacons of hope' as the industry looked to keep up the momentum on the campaign to reverse the proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, announced in the Autumn Budget.

Beacons were lit between 7pm and 8pm on December 31 and kept burning until midnight across the country.

The lighting of the beacons was organised by the farmers behind the November London protest, including Merseyside farmer and YouTuber Olly Harrison.

Speaking ahead of lighting his beacon, Mr Harrison said: "We have got to keep the heat on to these MPs to realise what they are doing to family farms."

Just need some logs now the kindling has burnt
Nye beacon is lit in Tarbock one of over 3000
To signify the fire of is still raging in the countryside with farms been destroyed by the #apr #bpr changes in the last budget
With some tweeks @Kier_Starmer_PM and @RachelReevesMP… pic.twitter.com/AxDlSyOase

— Olly harrison 🥛🍔🌱AccidentalYoutuber (@agricontract) December 31, 2024

It comes as the industry looked to keep up the pressure on politicians over the Festive Period and in the run up to March's Spending Review.

The locations of the beacons can be seen on countrysideonfire.co.uk. Around 3000 were registered online, with farmers sharing images and videos across social media with the hashtag #familyfarmtax

The Fownhope Beacon of Hope!!

Crackling away, hopefully across the country over 3000 others will be the reminder required. @RachelReevesMP @Keir_Starmer
We need to talk.
Our place , or yours? #familyfarmtax #agriculture #opendebate @agricontract @TWBFarms @wheat_daddy pic.twitter.com/0t1hLQb5Qh

— martin williams (@loosecollie) December 31, 2024