Supermarkets split on support for campaign against farm IHT

British farmers are ramping up their campaign to convince the Labour government to rethink its proposed farm inheritance tax, dubbed the “family farm tax” by the NFU.
However, supermarket giants are divided in their support for the farming community, with some throwing their weight behind the cause while others remain silent or non-committal.
The tax would impose a 20% levy on inherited agricultural property and assets worth over £1m from April 2026, significantly raising the cost of passing on land to the next generation.
See also: Farmers take tractors to supermarkets in IHT protest
For many farmers, this move could force the sale of land or businesses just to pay the hefty tax bill, threatening the future of family-run farms that have been in operation for generations.
Leading the charge in support of British farmers are Morrisons and Asda. Both supermarkets have voiced their solidarity for farmers in their protest against the government’s planned farm IHT changes.
“Farming is a vital part of our supply chain. We need a confident farming sector which is able and willing to invest in its future,” said an Asda spokesperson.
“We have been raising our concerns with government and will be supporting the NFU’s campaign calling for a pause in the implementation of APR [agricultural property relief] to allow for proper consultation.”
Morrisons, which has a history of working closely with British farmers, has not yet fully committed to the NFU’s #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign. While it has expressed concerns about the impact of such a tax on the farming sector, it has stopped short of outright opposition.
Supermarket chain Booths has also spoken out about the “family farm tax”.
In contrast, major supermarket chains such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s have been notably quiet on the issue. Despite being major players in the UK food supply chain, neither has issued a public statement in support of the farmers’ campaign.
Their silence has drawn criticism from farmers, with many accusing them of failing to back the very people who supply their fresh produce.
As the NFU’s campaign gains momentum, with a planned National Day of Action on Saturday 25 January, farmers are urging other supermarkets to follow the lead of Morrisons and Asda in advocating for the industry’s future.
Merseyside arable farmer Olly Harrison, one of the coalition of farmers behind November’s London Farming Rally, said: “It’s great that Morrisons, Asda and Booths have realised the importance of agriculture. We just hope the other supermarkets will follow suit.
“Without farmers, they don’t have a business.”