'You are stealing our children's future and destroying the hard work of generations before us'

WORRIED farmer Olly Harrison has issued a rallying call on behalf of the industry, urging the Government not to "steal our children's future".

- Katie Harris

Along with thousands of other farmers, the father-of-three fears he will no longer be able to pass on his family business after the controversial Budget raid on inheritances.

Olly, 43, said he could be forced to sell around a third of the farm when he inherits it from his 76-year-old father Thomas to pay tax bills. The fifth-generation farmer told the Express he wanted to say to the Government: "You are stealing our children's future and destroying the hard work of generations before us.

"No one owns a farm, you just look after it for the next generation. I was lucky enough to be able to have the opportunity to look after it and I want my children to have the same - but the way it is now, that's impossible." Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled reforms at last month's Budget limiting the existing 100% relief for farms to only the first £1million of combined agricultural and business property.

But the measure has sparked widespread fury from farmers who are demanding a U-turn.

Yesterday more than 100 farmers took part in a go-slow demonstration with tractors in Dover, Kent.