Morrisons seeks High Court Injunction against farmers. (Image: Getty)
Supermarket giant Morrisons is seeking a High Court injunction following farmers’ “unlawful protests.” According to the grocers, the action is causing a “serious threat” to the industry.
Despite being “Britain’s biggest customer of UK farming” and showing support to farmers and their fight against the Government’s proposed inheritance tax changes, the grocer has said it needs to “protect its business.”
In a statement, Morrisons said: “Given the protests experienced recently and the serious threat of immediate further action, we’ve had to take the difficult decision to seek a High Court injunction to restrain unlawful protest action aimed at preventing us from operating from our sites referenced in the Injunction Order.
“However, please know that we remain committed to continuing to work with all our farming network on the issues that matter most to you.”
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Farming protests swept the nation following inheritance tax changes. (Image: Getty)
Anyone who breaches the Injunction Order may be sent to prison for contempt of court, fined, or have their assets seized, Morrisons says.
Without their consent, the injunction prohibits anyone from entering or remaining upon any part of the land attached to the Injunction Order.
It also stops anyone from causing blockades and obstructions of traffic with or without the use of vehicles. This includes tractors or other agricultural vehicles and equipment across supermarket access roads.
The injunction was granted on January 16, 2025, following Morrisons’ continual support of the farmers’ fight, stating that the supermarket chain is “here to help.”
Labour’s proposed plans to banish inheritance tax relief on agricultural assets worth more than £1million have received widespread backlash.
Farmers have taken to the streets in protest, claiming the impact on small family farms would be detrimental, causing many to sell.
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Morrisons says the action is causing a “serious threat” to business. (Image: Getty)
Just last week, Morrisons’ head of agriculture, Sophie Throup, said it stood by the farmers in their protest.
She said: “We want to send a message of support today for the whole of the farming community. We understand your anger and your frustrations at the inheritance tax, and we’re with you.
“We share your concerns about the long-term future the inheritance tax is going to have on farms, particularly smaller family farms. And we know that you want something done about it.
“We’ve been raising these concerns at the highest levels of Government since November last year, and we will continue to do so. We know it’s important.
“We are with you. We’re here to help you. If you want to talk to me, please message me. We are here to help. As a Yorkshire farmer and head of agriculture at Morrisons, I know you get just how damaging this Government’s changes announced in the Budget are for our farming community.”