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Port protest farmers warn of more demos in tax row

Dyfan Eilir Jones About a dozen large tractors block a road next to Holyhead port. the welcome sign with Irish Ferries and Stena Line names and logos is in the foregroundDyfan Eilir Jones
Protestors parked their tractors in front of the entrance to Holyhead port early Thursday morning

Farmers who blocked access to Wales’ biggest port have said further protests should be expected as the "Welsh and UK governments are not listening".

They parked 40 tractors in front of Holyhead Port on Anglesey into the early hours of Thursday, causing delays to services over planned changes to inheritance tax for farmers.

It came a day after farmers protested in the Port of Dover.

The port said the disruption began at 22:00 GMT on Wednesday, with cars and foot passengers allowed to disembark and lorries being held up for several hours, causing knock-on delays to subsequent services.

With the intention of introducing changes to the system from April 2026, the UK government is proposing a tax of 20% on agricultural property worth over £1m.

According to the Treasury only 500 farms a year will be affected across Britain, and a couple can transfer £3m of assets without paying inheritance tax.

But this is disputed by many farmers, who say that they are being "clobbered".

One of the protesters, Dyfan Jones, said the intention was for a peaceful demonstration in Holyhead organized independently by farmers in north Wales.

Protestors carry banners including one with a cartoon image of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's head with a rat's body. The words on the sign read 'Starmer fled Welsh farmers "like a rat". Will he face us today?'
Farmers also held a protest in London against the UK government's changes to inheritance tax rules

"We are trying to show how strongly we feel about the future of the food industry, this line is very fragile," he said.

"People are fed up now and there’s fire in the bellies of the farmers here, they are furious.

"We knew there’d been a protest in Dover, so we decided to show solidarity by closing Holyhead to try to slow down the food supply to try to show people how vulnerable it is.

"We’re in a battle with Cardiff and Westminster... it's very fragile and the industry is ageing... it’s very worrying and if we are not careful it will be too late."

PA Protesting farmers gathered outside the Senedd in February 2024.PA
Around 3,000 farmers protested outside the Welsh Parliament in February in the largest demonstration in its history

Holyhead Port operators Stenaline said: "A number of protesters and vehicles arrived at Holyhead Port blocking entry to the port in response to elements of the recent [UK] government budget announcements".

"Car traffic and foot passengers from incoming ferries disembarked safely and were permitted to exit the port through an alternative route.

"At 02:00, the demonstration ceased, and normal port operations resumed."

The UK Treasury previously said it would be taking "a fair and balanced approach" to inheritance tax relief in order to help fund public services.

In her budget last month, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farms valued at over a million pounds would face inheritance tax charged at a rate of 20%, and payable in instalments over 10 years from April 2026.