UK farmers weigh fuel protest action amid rising costs

British farmers are discussing the possibility of fuel protests as pressure builds from rising red diesel, fertiliser and other input costs – although no formal plans have been confirmed.

White (road) diesel is now above £2/litre at some UK forecourts, while red diesel is currently in the region of 120p/litre for bulk farm deliveries, reflecting disruption in global energy markets caused by the war in the Middle East.

The combined impact is adding to financial pressure on farm businesses, with many farmers reporting tighter margins and growing uncertainty over day-to-day viability.

See also: Fuel and fertiliser prices soar as Middle East tensions rise

Clive Bailye, a Staffordshire farmer and founder of the Farming Forum, said discussions were taking place “in the background” about what any potential action could look like, but stressed that reluctance to take action remained high.

He told Farmers Weekly: “Some people have been asking why British farmers have not been staging their own fuel protests, like their counterparts in the EU or Ireland.

“The truth is that the rules are different since the Just Stop Oil protests and if the government believes that protests are a risk to national infrastructure and the economy, the police can arrest you.

“There is quite a bit of talk on our forum about it. It seems it is being led more by hauliers than farmers, as they have been haemorrhaging money with the fuel price increases at the pump. It could be that farmers get involved at a later stage.

“It’s not the case that British farmers are not struggling or are not at breaking point. It’s more that they don’t want to be sent to prison.”

Mr Bailye added that concerns over tighter protest laws introduced following actions by Just Stop Oil have made farmers cautious about taking a leading role, and stressed he is not involved in any protest planning.

Irish farmer fuel protests

Recent large-scale protests in Ireland, where farmers and hauliers have disrupted roads over rising fuel costs, have added momentum to discussions in the UK, with farmers closely watching developments.

Industry pressure has also intensified, with one farmer involved in previous protests over inheritance tax (IHT) and supermarket distribution centres reporting a “noticeable increase” in discussions across farming groups.

“This is particularly off the back of rising diesel prices and what we’ve seen happening in Ireland. Alongside that, we’re now in the red zone on IHT,” the farmer said.

“That said, it’s important to stress that at this stage, it’s more a reflection of growing frustration across farmers, rather than anything formally organised in the UK.

“People are watching closely and weighing up what happens next.”

William Taylor, co-ordinator at Farmers For Action NI, said his group had been approached by farming organisations to consider a UK-wide tax and fuel protest.

He said: “Currently, it has been agreed to wait and watch over the coming days with reference to fuel prices and governments’ reactions to the plight that family farmers, SMEs, the haulage industry and the UK’s workforce finds themselves in.”

Meanwhile, Mr Taylor understands that farmers in Northern Ireland could stage a fuel price protest on Tuesday 14 April.

He urged governments to sit down and talk to farmers about the crippling impact of fuel price increases on their businesses.

Unions ramp up activity

Farming organisations have also stepped up warnings over cost pressures.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is calling for immediate, coordinated government action to address the exceptional rise in agricultural input costs, including targeted support measures and recognition of the strategic importance of food production.

UFU president William Irvine said: “Farmers are facing a perfect storm of rising input costs, ongoing policy pressures and adverse weather conditions.

“This latest surge in fuel and fertiliser prices is another serious threat to the viability of farm businesses across Northern Ireland.”

He added: “Without decisive intervention, there is a real risk to domestic food production and the long-term resilience of our agri-food sector. Farmers cannot continue to absorb these sustained pressures alone.”

NFU Scotland has warned that oil price rises and supply disruption are feeding through into higher fuel and fertiliser costs.

Andrew Connon, NFU Scotland president, said: “This is not a distant geopolitical issue – it is already hitting farm businesses across Scotland hard.”