Suffolk farmer warns of “farming’s darkest hour” as major tractor protest begins
Farmers in Suffolk and across the UK are taking part in a "Unity Tractor Run" for agricultural vehicles to show strength and unity.
Last updated 24th Nov 2025
A Suffolk farmer has warned the county is entering what he calls “farming’s darkest hour” as dozens of tractors prepare to take part in a unity agricultural machinery run today (Monday the 24th November 2025)
The protest, part of a nationwide day of action, will see around 70 tractors and agricultural vehicles travel slowly through Ipswich, past key grain import sites and towards Felixstowe Port.
The convoy will set-off from Wherstead village at 10am, travelling along the A137 into Ipswich, where it will proceed along Wherstead Road, Hawes Street and Vernon Street.
It will then move into Bridge Street and over Stoke Bridge, turning right at the Novotel roundabout into Star Lane from where it will continue to the junction with Grimwade Street and then onto Fore Street.
It will then turn right into Duke Street, proceeding along Cliff Road, Toller Road, Landseer Road and Nacton Road.
The convoy will then join the A14 eastbound at Junction 57 (next to Ransomes Europark) and continue to the end of Port of Felixstowe Road, where it will circumnavigate the Dock Gate 1 roundabout and return back along the Port of Felixstowe Road onto the A14 westbound towards Wherstead.
Thereafter the protest will continue to loop along the A14 from Junction 56 at Wherstead to Dock Gate 1 in Felixstowe until it disperses at 4pm.
Whilst on the A14, the tractors will be travelling at 20mph in Lane 2 (the outside lane) to allow for other traffic to join and exit the A14 but motorists should expect delays during the day.
Farmers have worked closely with Suffolk police to ensure that everything is legal and that everything is as safe as can be.
One of the organisers, Russel Abbott, who farms in Suffolk and is a third-generation farmer, says the route has been chosen to highlight the impact of cheaper imported grain and concerns over government policy.
He said the convoy will pass the grain terminal “very slowly”, explaining:
“We have a lot of cheaper imported grain coming in from countries which are allowed to use pesticides and other herbicides which we've had banned here. It makes it cheaper to grow, therefore the grain is cheaper when it comes in from abroad.”
Farmers taking part will also ask members of the public to stand on bridges over main roads at 4 pm as a show of solidarity.
“Farming’s darkest hour”
The protest comes ahead of the Budget on 26 November. The farmer says the government has “refused to listen” to concerns about how changes to inheritance tax (IHT) could affect family farms.
He said experts had already warned ministers that the revenue raised would be minimal compared to the impact on the agricultural sector.
“They've looked at the figures… how much money revenue is gonna be produced by the IHT… It's basically gonna keep the NHS running for one day, but what it's going to do is ruin family farms.”
He said farmers faced a decade of additional tax pressure that would make it harder to invest in essential equipment and buildings.
“We simply can't afford to pay that, and that is going to create a massive risk in every farm… we’re calling it darkest hour… it could see the end of small family farmers like myself.”
Concern spreading through local rural businesses
Abbott said the effects are already being felt across Suffolk’s rural economy, with machinery dealers, mechanics and other agricultural businesses now struggling.
“Other businesses are now starting to see the chain reaction of farmers not spending money… they’re worried about their future. It's impacting them so they're wanting to come along to support this with us.”
The Suffolk group currently has around 70 vehicles confirmed, but the farmer said numbers nationwide could be far higher, with some areas choosing “go-slow” protests and others focusing on bridge demonstrations.
“The government are out of touch with agriculture”
Abbott believes ministers underestimated the scale of the impact when they made decisions around inheritance tax.
"I think the government are so far out of touch with agriculture in general… it will ruin real working families who for generations have had farms in their possession.”
He said the loss of small family farms would mean losing the skills and local knowledge built up over decades.
“They’ll never ever get that back.”
“I don’t want to be the generation that loses our farm”
Abbott also revealed that he and his family have campaigned intensively over the past year, participating in multiple tractor runs, protests, and meetings with MPs and officials.
But he said the emotional toll is growing.
“It upsets me to think that potentially I will be the generation that loses my farm… I’ve got my daughter wanting to come into farming. I’m worried about ruining it for her.”
He added that the protests have become important for farmers’ wellbeing.
“Being out there makes us feel better at ground level.”
“This is not a small problem”
He hopes today's protest and similar events across the UK will show the strength of feeling in the agricultural community.
“Look at the number of people we have there on Monday… surely that speaks volumes of the situation we’re in.”
He said farmers can no longer stay silent about low prices, rising costs and what he described as a series of financial pressures, including inheritance tax, carbon tax, and taxes on double-cab pickup trucks.
“Please be patient with us”
He ended with a message to the public ahead of Monday’s disruption.
“Please be patient with us. This is not something that any of us want to do but we have to do something. We need to stand together.”
Government response
A Defra spokesperson said: “We are backing farmers with the largest nature‑friendly budget in history with over £2.7 billion a year to grow their businesses, put more British food on our plates, and restore nature.
“Our New Deal for Farmers is already delivering: extending the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme, protecting British produce in trade deals, investing hundreds of millions in grants and biosecurity, and driving fairer supply chains.
“Our reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will safeguard public services while keeping inheritance tax fair – with three quarters of estates paying nothing, and the rest paying half the usual rate, spread over 10 years interest‑free.”