Farmers rally in Exeter protest

This evening, December 11th, Exeter will host a significant rally as farmers gather to protest the impact of recent government policies on the agricultural sector. 

The event, which is set to begin at 7:30pm at Exeter Livestock Market on Marsh Barton, will include a tractor procession through the city centre before returning to the livestock market. 

The farming community has expressed growing frustration following the Labour Budget, which many in the industry feel has placed them under attack. This sentiment was strongly reflected last month in London, where over 40,000 farmers and supporters attended a rally near Parliament.

Now, regional rallies are being organised across the country, with Exeter’s event aiming to spotlight the challenges faced by the industry in Devon, a county where agriculture is critical to the local economy. 

The rally aims to raise awareness among the public about several government initiatives that protestors claim is adversely affecting farming and broader societal welfare.

These include calls to abolish inheritance tax to protect families from “immoral taxation,” restore pensioners’ heating allowances to ensure dignity and warmth for the elderly, and reverse tax increases for small and medium-sized enterprises, which they argue are the backbone of the economy and local communities.

Additionally, the rally will highlight the need to address soaring costs for students, which are seen as pricing the next generation out of opportunities, and demand cuts to government waste by promoting accountability and reducing reckless spending.  

Organisers anticipate a strong turnout of over 100 tractors and other vehicles. Ahead of the procession, which will pass through Exeter’s city centre, attendees will hear from speakers addressing the crowd, providing insight into the protest’s purpose and the issues at stake. 

Devon County Council recently protested cuts to rural grants, warning of their devastating impact on the region’s rural economy. The council also backed a petition urging the government to reconsider a proposed new tax, which critics say would impose further financial strain on farming families. These developments have bolstered calls for immediate action to protect the county’s agricultural sector. 

The demonstration is expected to draw significant attention, not only as a visual spectacle but as a crucial reminder of the farming community’s importance to Devon’s economy and identity.