Farmers paint St George’s flags on their cows

Move to highlight the ‘difficult time’ farms are facing in light of new inheritance tax rules



Two farmers have painted the St George’s Cross on their herd of cows.

Ed Bunning, 30, and Sarah Mottershead, 26, sprayed the England flag on their cattle at their farm near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, to raise awareness of the difficulties farmers are facing.

Motorists driving past their fields in the village of Quatt now regularly stop to take pictures of the Scottish beef cows.

Union flags and St George’s crosses have been raised across the UK as part of Operation Raise the Colours, a grassroots campaign to encourage national pride.

Mr Bunning, who has 200 cows at the farm, said: “We did it to back British farming. We have had such a difficult time recently, what with the new inheritance tax, farming is getting harder and harder.

“I thought there are lots of flags on lampposts around the country so I thought I’d give the cows a makeover too.

“I’ve had so many people stop and take pictures. It is a bit of fun that has raised a few smiles, but there is a serious message. It has never been so hard to be a farmer as it is now.”

In last year’s budget, the Government announced farms will face inheritance tax on assets over £1m with 50pc relief, creating an effective rate of 20pc.

The so-called tractor tax has been widely criticised by those in the farming community, with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) saying it will fight against the policy “for as long as it takes”.

Mr Bunning said that the spray used was an animal-friendly, non-toxic paint.

He added: “It is perfectly harmless to the cows and they don’t seem to mind a bit. I just wanted to get the message across to all British farmers that we are in the same boat.”