This event will happen across Wales and the UK.
It will show MPs and ministers clearly that agriculture across the whole of the UK is united in rejecting this awful policy – a policy we were promised would never happen.
Crucially, these events are the chance for counties to do what’s best for them. Each will be organised locally, and they will not all be the same.
This is members’ chance to come out and be seen, to make their voices heard, and to ensure our campaign stays in both the public and media’s minds.
We’ve put together a toolkit of information on this page that should help every event have a great, safe, effective day. This is being sent to county officeholders, regional directors, county advisers and group secretaries.
Key messages for the public
1. We just want to keep farming, producing great Welsh and British food for the public, caring for the environment and being at the heart of rural communities. Thank you for your support.
2. The government consulted with nobody on this, and its data is wrong. Up to 75% of farms will be affected, and for many it will be the final straw.
3. Farms can be worth a lot of money on paper, but that value will never be seen unless the farm is sold. Farm incomes are often very small. Farmers, already suffering from huge pressures, are being asked to find money they don’t have to pay this tax and when they can’t, their farm disappears.
How you can get involved
Here are our top tips on creating an easy-to-set-up display that will have an impact and get the message out to MPs and the public.
The tone of your event should be positive. We want to welcome the public and encourage them to support the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign.
Do
- Organise events on Saturday 25 January through your counties – seek permission from the landowner before setting up any display on private land, and adhere to requirements set out for safe set-up and break-down.
- Set up a display in a town centre, retail park or other public area highlighting what you do as a farmer. This could include a display of local produce, farm machinery and food tasters but the choice for what works best on your patch is for you.
- Staff your display at all times.
- If you want to order campaign materials from the NFU Shop, the last date to order is Monday 20 January. Material includes banners, flags, car stickers and posters. Campaign materials for members are sold at cost price.
- Print off a campaign poster (poster also available in Welsh language). The poster highlights 5 reasons the farm tax needs to be scrapped and will have a QR code that takes people straight to a webpage where they can add their support.
- Provide details of your event to your County Adviser or the NFU Cymru office so they can upload information, and we can publicise them on a Farming Day of Unity map.
- Ensure you have Public Liability insurance policy. Your County Adviser will be able to advise you as to whether the NFU’s public liability insurance will cover your display. Read the guidance from NFU’s legal team about setting up an event. Speak to your County Adviser for support with completing a risk assessment for the event.
- Promote your event. Work with our local County Adviser to get maximum media coverage and visit our social media tips and graphics page to help tell your story on the day.
- Take photos of the day. Remember to get signed permission from any people in the photo if it is to be used for publicity purposes.
- Encourage any farmers you know to write to their MP to explain the impact of this ill-thought-through policy.
- Send a letter to your local MP (letter also available in Welsh) (Rich Text Document) advising them that the event is taking place, and telling them they would be very welcome to attend.
Don’t
- Block roads or access points – the event must not disrupt the public in their day-to-day activity. The public is not to blame for this terrible policy and we must make sure we maintain the huge support its shown us.
- Leave yourself open to inappropriate use of red diesel. If machinery is used it must be road taxed and NOT be filled with red diesel unless the event has an agricultural or charitable purpose. Some members are “charging” tractors £10 “entry” to their events and donating this money to charity, which allows them to use red diesel. This is something you might consider. Please read the business guide for policy clarification – NFU Red Diesel Incorporating the Memorandum of Agreement for on road use Business Guide.
A printable leaflet for the public will be available for download by 14 January, setting out more information about the campaign.
