There was chaos as tractors blockaded a Morrisons distribution centre near the M5 in the West Country for 12 hours. The protest over Government changes to proposed changes to inheritance tax saw around 50 tractors obstruct the entrance to the Willow Green depot in Bridgwater, Somerset, on Friday (January 10) .
In the freezing temperatures, operations at the depot were brought to a standstill from 8pm on Friday to 8am on Saturday. It resulted in empty supermarket shelves and ignited discussions about the future of British farming.
The protest, organised by Farmers to Action, was in reaction to the Labour Party’s plan to extend inheritance tax to family farms valued at over £1 million. Many farmers perceive this a direct assault on their lifestyle.
Willow Green, a 78-acre distribution hub just off the M5, is central to Morrisons’ supply chain, handling over 2.1 million cases of fresh, frozen, and ambient goods each week. This facility serves nearly 80 stores, making it the lifeline of Morrisons’ operations in the South West.
The blockade was aimed at sending a message about the potential consequences of losing family farms. Paul Godden, a farmer from Glastonbury, explained: “We need to do something to show the country that if there’s no farmers, there’s no food,” he said.
“By blockading Morrisons today, we’re proving a point. If supermarkets can’t stock their shelves, people might realise the value of what we do.”
Farmers blockade Morrisons South West distribution centre
(Image: SomersetLive/Lewis Clarke)
He shared his personal journey, revealing the stakes involved.
“I lost my leg for this industry, and I’m not going to let Starmer take it away. My nephew, who’s 16, wants to get into farming, but if this inheritance tax comes in, he won’t have a family farm to inherit. That’s not just a loss for him—it’s a loss for the country.”
The protest highlighted the intergenerational impact of the proposed tax changes. For Simon Carey, a farmer from Mark, the demonstration wasn’t just a fight for his livelihood but for the future of his three sons. After 20 years of beef and sheep farming, Simon recently ventured into dairy farming, investing in a new farm for his family. But that dream now feels uncertain.
“We bought a dairy farm for my sons to carry on farming, but there’s no future in it now,” Mr Carey lamented.
“Farming isn’t about making money—it’s about the love of feeding your country. But if we’re forced to sell land to pay taxes, we’ll lose the ability to farm altogether.”
His sons, Brooks and Charlie, voiced their concerns about the long-term viability of farming. Brooks warned that inheritance tax could spell the end for small farms like theirs.
“There’s no way to pay it without selling land or assets,” he said. “And you can’t farm without those.”
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Charlie echoed his brother’s sentiments, saying, “This isn’t just about us—it’s about the next generation. We want to farm and feed our country, but these policies are making that impossible.”
The protest brought together a diverse group of supporters, from seasoned farmers to agricultural contractors and even children. Former MP and farmer Neil Parish was among those present, praising the turnout and the determination of the farming community.
“I’d estimate there were 60 or 70 tractors here,” Mr Parish said.
“It shows the strength of feeling among farmers who feel they’re being persecuted. They’re not just worried about today – they’re worried about the future of farming in Britain.”
He acknowledged the tough position Morrisons found itself in as the protest’s target.
“Morrisons isn’t a bad company, but they’re caught in the middle. If retailers start pressuring the government to listen to farmers, maybe we can make progress. But we’ve got to make our feelings known.”
Solidarity was a recurring theme throughout the night. Agricultural engineers Tom Goodall and Dan Coles joined the protest to support their farming clients.
“If these changes go through, many of our customers will be out of business, and that affects us too,” Mr Goodall explained.
“We’re here to stand with them because we all rely on farming.”
For many, the Bridgwater blockade marked the beginning of a larger movement. Farmers spoke openly about the possibility of escalating their protests if the government didn’t respond.
Defiant farmers
(Image: SomersetLive/Lewis Clarke)
Rob Coram, a fourth-generation farmer from North Newton, participated in the Bridgwater protest after joining an earlier demonstration on the A303.
“If they don’t listen, this will escalate,” he warned.
“We’ve started with slow-moving blockades, but we can go further. The government needs to realise that we’re not going to give up.”
Mr Coram highlighted the financial strain the proposed inheritance tax would place on small farms.
“With housing prices so high, most farmhouses are valued at three-quarters of a million pounds. How can a small farm pay a big chunk of inheritance tax on top of everything else? It’s just not realistic.”
A government spokesperson defended the proposed changes, stating that they would impact only a small number of estates each year.
“Our reforms will affect around 500 estates annually, with inheritance tax set at half the standard rate and a 10-year, interest-free repayment period,” they said.
“This is a fair approach that balances the needs of public services with those of the farming community.”
Around 50 tractors took part
(Image: SomersetLive/Lewis Clarke)
But many farmers see these assurances as out of touch with the realities of agricultural life. Simon Carey dismissed the government’s claim that only wealthy estates would be affected. “They need to look at the bigger picture,” he said.
“Small farms like mine can’t absorb these costs, and once we’re gone, there’s no replacing us.”
The emotional toll of the proposed changes was palpable throughout the protest. Mr Carey reflected on the heartbreak of watching his sons face such an uncertain future.
“I’ve spent my whole life putting them into an industry that they love to do, and now it’s all going to be thrown away.
“There won’t be farming in the future. They won’t be within the farming community when they get to my age and there won’t be a British farmer stood in his own right if it carries on like it is.”
Brooks and Charlie shared their frustration at the lack of public understanding about farming’s role in society.
“Food doesn’t come from Tesco—it comes from farms,” Brooks said. “People need to realise that without us, there’s no food on the shelves.”
Taking a stand
(Image: SomersetLive/Lewis Clarke)
As the tractors rolled away from the Morrisons depot early in the morning, the farming community vowed to continue their fight. Paul Godden summed up the collective determination, stating: “This is just the beginning. We’ll keep making our voices heard, and we won’t back down until the government listens.”
Sophie Throup head of agriculture at Morrisons posted on X saying: “We want to send a message of support today for the whole of the farming community. We understand your anger and frustrations at the inheritance tax, but we’re with you.
“We share your concerns about the long-term future inheritance tax is going to have on farms, particularly smaller family farms, and we know you want something done about it. We’ve been raising these concerns at the highest levels of government since November last year, and we will continue to do so.
“We know it’s important. We are with you; we’re here to help you. If you want to talk to me, please message me; we are here to help.”
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