British farmers could go on strike as soon as this weekend - in what would be a UK first - in protest against inheritance tax changes.
Pressure group Enough is Enough warned farmers in Britain had "simply had enough" and called for them to begin a week-long strike on Sunday, November 17.
The action would have the goal of stopping any produce leaving farms for the duration of the strike.
The Times reports that, in a leaked statement, the pressure group said: “We are being suffocated by a government that seems determined to destroy our livelihoods, our future and our ability to feed the nation.
“This country will be facing massive food shortages with potential significant price increases and the demise of the rural economy along with a serious implications of food security.
“We simply cannot allow the destruction of our industry to continue and our responsibility to feed our nation be taken away.
"This is a last resort but we as farmers are in despair as we simply cannot afford to provide food to the public.
“We ask this government to talk to us, to listen to us, and allow us the freedom and flexibility to feed our nation.”
In her Budget announcement at the end of October, chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed farms valued in excess of £1million would be subject to a 20% inheritance tax levy from April 2026.
A UK government spokesman told The Times: “With public services crumbling, a £22billion fiscal hole inherited from the previous government and 40% of Agricultural Property Relief going to the 7% wealthiest claimants, we made a difficult decision to ensure the relief is fiscally sustainable.
“Around 500 claims each year will be impacted and farm-owning couples can pass on up to £3million without paying any inheritance tax - this is a fair and balanced approach.”
Meanwhile The Telegraph reports Ranjit Singh Boparan, the tycoon nicknamed the “Chicken King”, has branded the Budget a “disaster for business” and said it risked pushing up inflation further for households.
Boparan's £5billion empire included 2 Sisters Food Group, which "processes" 10million birds every week, as well as restaurants and the Bernard Matthews brand.
He warned the Budget would deliver a "final fatal blow to the thousands of small, family-owned farms we in the food manufacturing sector rely upon day in, day out".