Members, Group Secretaries and NFU North staff organised several events to engage with the public and raise awareness of the Stop The Family Farm Tax campaign.
In Cheshire, farmers gathered at Chester Town Hall with a tractor, cow and calf. Alongside NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos, they engaged with MPs, local councillors and the general public.
Helen Wainwright, Cheshire County Adviser, has thanked the members for making the event such a success and described the support from the public for the campaign as 鈥榦verwhelming鈥�. She added: 鈥淚t really was NFU Cheshire at its best, I鈥檓 lucky to be surrounded by a great team with such a passion for agriculture who pull together to make things happen.鈥�
Over in the East of the region, Richard Bramley, Ian Backhouse, Selby and Doncaster Group Secretary Amy Morrison and local members gathered outside Selby Abbey to give away locally grown produce.
They had many conversations with the public about the challenges farmers鈥� face and the campaign. The public were fully supportive and Selby and District Foodbank were grateful for donations of fresh produce from local farmers and businesses. Tractors from local dealerships were also on display. GB News reported live from Selby Abbey throughout the day.
A clear message
Richard Bramley said: 鈥淭he public support was overwhelming. The clear message that this isn鈥檛 just farms that will be affected, but the wider rural economy and the food we produce.
鈥淭he people of Selby could not understand why farming was being targeted in this way and were right behind us. It was heart-warming to be part of the event and highlighted just how far off the mark government is if it thinks this tax policy change will deliver anything positive. It must be revoked.鈥�
Cumbria County Chair John Longmire and local members gathered at the Birdcage in Kendal Town Centre. They gave out free locally produced eggs to the public as a thank you for their continued support against the proposals put forward by the Government in the Autumn Statement and for buying local.
Elsewhere in Cumbria, NFU Carlisle and members spoke with lots of members of the public outside Carlisle Morrisons. They handed out over 200 leaflets, over 250 pieces of cake, and many people stopped by to scan the QR code on the posters to sign the online petition.
Carlisle NFU Coordinator Tamar Miller said: 鈥淢any people said they have family members who are involved in farming and therefore understand the struggles faced and fully back the campaign.鈥�
Further events were held by members at supermarkets in Sheffield and Barnsley.
Meanwhile in Lancashire, new County Chair Becki Fielding showed MP for Rossendale and Darwen Andy MacNae around her farm in Blackburn. Andy got to hear firsthand the impact the government's Family Farm Tax will have upon the business and other family farms in the constituency.
Support continues to grow聽
David Hall, NFU North Regional Director, said: 鈥淭he support from the general public for the farming community in relation to the Stop the Family Farm Tax continues to grow. The Day of Unity gave members the opportunity to speak to the public and gain more support for the campaign. I would like to thank the members, staff and group secretaries for taking the time to get involved and making the day a huge success.鈥�
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Members at Morrisons in Carlisle
Rachel Hallos at the Day of Unity event in Chester
Members of the public engage in Selby
Farmers gather at Morrisons in Carlisle
Andy McNae visit on the Day of Unity
Members of the public at the Selby gathering
Chester Day of Unity event
Day of Unity event in Kendal
