Alongside the majority of Cheshire West and Chester Conservative councillors, local farmers, residents and Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury), Cllr Simon Eardley was proud to join the National Farmers Union 'Day of Unity' in Chester on Saturday 25th January 2025.
Commenting, Simon said:
"As the son of a #Cheshire dairy farmer, I was immensely proud to stand alongside our incredible farmers in #Chester today, with my councillor colleagues, local residents and Aphra Brandreth MP for Chester South & Eddisbury. My support for local farmers is unequivocal - it’s in my blood!
"The Government need to think again and scrap plans for their damaging family farm tax. Our hardworking farmers are the backbone of our community, especially in a county like Cheshire with its important agricultural past and present! This tax threatens livelihoods and the future of family farming in our country. We need to see a fair deal for our rural communities, not those who provide our food penalised in this way!
Simon also contributed some remarks to an article written by 'Chester Nub News' which they published on 24th January 2025. You can this article below, but it is also available at the link here: https://chester.nub.news/news/local-news/stop-the-family-farm-tax-250580 - please do take a look at their website.
Farmers set to rally in Chester as part of nationwide 'day of unity'
By Dherran Titherington 24th Jan 2025
"Livestock and tractors will be brought to the city centre of Chester this weekend, on a day of nationwide protests about the 'unfair' tax that farmers say is putting their livelihood and the nation's food security at risk.
On Saturday 25 January, 'Bringing the Farm to the City' will form on Northgate Street, as part of a campaign led by the National Farmers' Union (NFU).
Cheshire farmers will take part in a 'farming day of unity' with other groups across the country.
This comes in response to inheritance tax changes announced in Rachel Reeve's October budget, resulting in farmers facing a 20 per cent levy on combined agricultural and business assets worth more than £1 million.
Chester's event will start at 11am on Town Hall Square, where local farmers will open the conversation to the public, bringing livestock and a tractor to view.
Conservative councillor for [Saughall and Mollington], Simon Eardley, has expressed his support for the event.
Listing food security and a rich family farming history, he spoke to Chester Nub News about the reasons behind his 'passionate' backing of the nationwide cause.
He said: "Whilst there's this impression that farmers are asset rich, they often don't have cash resources.
"It's an industry that is volatile in that sense, so the implications of this are significant. I think that should be a worry for people.
"We want to show solidarity with farmers; I hope that the event this weekend will reconnect people with farming."
For Simon, he believes that for most people, the lines between what we believe about food production and the truth behind it has been blurred.
The event highlights an opportunity to educate people on the UK food system, and the vital role of farmers at the core of it.
He added: "There's a disconnect between what people understand about where food comes from and where it actually comes from.
"I think people just assume they will continue to be able to buy their food from wherever they buy it from."
