Morrisons has taken out a major injunction against farmers following “unlawful protests” that are causing a “serious threat” to the grocery industry.
The supermarket chain has maintained its support of the farmers and their fight against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax, however the giant has said it needs to act to “protect its business”.
A statement from Morrisons read: “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.”
Morrisons has taken out a major injunction against farmers following ‘unlawful protests’
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The injunction was granted by the High Court on January 16, 2025, and prohibits anyone from entering the land marked as part of the order.
It also forbids the creation of blockades, the obstructions of traffic and the disruption of routes used by Morrisons workers to deliver goods and other services related to the supermarket.
Those who break the order could be sent to prison or receive a fine.
Morrisons is the UK’s largest customer of farming, working with over 2,200 livestock farmers and more than 200 growers, some of whom have been supplying the supermarket for over 30 years.
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The injunction was granted by the High Court on January 16, 2025, and prohibits anyone creating a blockade
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Farmers protesting in London in November, 2024
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The injunction comes after the company pledged its support to the farmers and their plight, stating that the supermarket chain is “here to help”.
Last week, the company’s head of agriculture Sophie Throup said it stood by the farmers who were protesting against inheritance tax changes.
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.
Labour’s decision to restrict inheritance tax relief on agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026 have received widespread backlash, triggering protests across the UK
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“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.”
The backing was praised by many, with Conservative shadow farming minister saying: “Huge well done to Morrisons for showing support”.
Labour’s decision to restrict inheritance tax relief on agricultural assets worth more than £1million from April 2026 have received widespread backlash, triggering protests across the UK.
Rachel Reeves has so far rejected calls to modify the tax, despite warnings from farming groups about its impact on family farms.
The Government maintains that only a few farms will be affected, suggesting many family farms will fall below the threshold.
