Why there were tractors parked at supermarkets across Sussex

Led by campaign group The Final Straw, the farmers’ aims with the protest was to gain support and show their anger at the government’s inheritance tax plans.

The Final Straw was formed last year following the changes proposed in the 2024 Budget, which would see farms receive a £1 million tax-free allowance on the value of the farm, removing the current tax-free status.

Tesco in Hove (Image: The Argus) During the protest today, farmers delivered a letter to each supermarket they visited to ask for their backing. 

The convoy of tractors was a spectacular sight that caused gridlock in parts of Brighton and Hove.

Tractors at Lyons Farm Retail Park in Worthing (Image: Eddie Mitchell) Protesters first headed to Tesco in Horsham, before going to Lyons Farm Retail Park in Worthing, then Tesco and Marks and Spencer at Holmbush Centre in Shoreham, Sainsbury’s in Portslade, Tesco in Hove and finally Asda Hollingbury in Brighton.

George, a farmer from Annington Farm Contractors in Worthing, said people’s support has been “absolutely incredible”.

George (Image: The Argus) “There is a reason there is so much public support, and why the farmers are making noise – this will affect trade across the nation,” he said.

“This won’t just affect farms, it affects all local trade and the government need to hear and see how that the working man is against it.”

This is not the first time Sussex farmers have taken to the streets to protest the inheritance tax proposal.

In November, farmers from Coombe Farm in Lancing attended the action in London, calling for a government U-turn.

The tractors cause gridlock in Miles Walk (Image: The Argus) Fifth generation Passmore farmer Andrew Flake, who has been helping to run Coombes Farm for more than ten years, said making a living off farming was no longer sustainable and had led to farms being forced to diversify.

Signs were strapped to the tractors (Image: Eddie Mitchell) The 30-year-old said in November: “For us to make a living off the land is almost impossible.

“To come out with this tax jeopardises it for the next generation. To not be able to pass the land on to our children, that’s the whole point of doing it.

“It feels like a kick in the teeth. Everyone is scared about whether their children will be able to afford to farm.”