Around 40 tractors were driven onto the pavement outside BBC South's office in Southampton to protest a "lack of coverage" by the broadcaster on issues facing farmers.

Hailing from Farmers to Action, the farmers drove their tractors from across the county to protest outside the BBC office at noon yesterday.

Tractors lined the pavement, and several were also put across the road outside the Seacity Museum.

Tractors parked outside the BBC officeTractors parked outside the BBC office (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) READ MORE: Farmers hold protest outside BBC Southampton studios - live

The farmers say they felt let down by the BBC's coverage of their issues, particularly the impact the inheritance tax changes will have on them.

Chris Marchment from Andover says his family very nearly lost their farm due to inheritance tax when his uncle died in the 1980s, and says under current laws, if he died, then his two sons would have to pay  £625k in inheritance tax for his mid-size farm.

He said: "We feel there hasn't been enough coverage on the BBC, so we thought we would bring the news to them.

"The margins that we are making are so small that it is physically impossible to cover the inheritance tax bill."

Chris MarchmentChris Marchment (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

 

Simon Linstead and his son Jack travelled to the protest from their farm near Stockbridge. Simon said: "The BBC aren't giving us any coverage on the crisis going on in farming. All the taxes and land grabs. We are just standing up for what we believe in."

He said: "The BBC aren't giving us any coverage on the crisis going on in farming. All the taxes and land grabs. We are just standing up for what we believe in."

Emily Smith, 26, from Andover, works for a family-owned multi-generational farm and is “worried about her future due to inheritance tax”. As the farmer’s son won’t be able to afford taking over, which will leave her “out of a job”.

Thomas Gregory, 24, works on a third-generation cattle farm in Bishop Waltham. He’s actively involved in the local young farmers group and, like many other young farmers, “he doesn’t know what his future will be”.

Kathleen Renner, 39, was joined by her family, who travelled over two hours from their East Sussex farm. Kathleen and her husband have had to diversify; they've made hay and straw for the local equestrian community, created a two-acre dog walking field, and each has another job to fund the farm.

READ MORE: Tractors lined up outside St Mary's in Southampton protest over tax

(Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Partway through the protest, newly appointed environment correspondent for BBC South, Jon Cuthill, has come out to speak to the farmers, telling them: "Use me to get your stories out there."

He added that his appointment to the previously cut role of the environment correspondent reflects a commitment to cover farming issues.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The BBC has a broad range of farming and rural affairs programming and covers stories within our news coverage. BBC News has a dedicated rural affairs correspondent and producer to report on issues which affect farmers’ lives and livelihoods across the UK.

"Further to this we have an Executive Editor to lead our Radio 4 rural affairs output including Farming Today, The Food Programme, Open Country, Rare Earth, and On Your Farm.

"The post co-chairs the BBC’s Rural Advisory Committee which includes rural stakeholders and shares insight from across farming communities, as well as providing feedback on the BBC’s coverage and programming.”