Farmers in England are preparing to stage fuel protests after the Iran war drove diesel prices close to £2 per litre, according to reports. The demonstrations would mirror those in Ireland, where farming organisations have caused widespread disruption over soaring fuel costs.
A source told The Telegraph that farming groups are set to meet next week to discuss nationwide action. “We’ve hit the £2 mark on a litre of diesel. That’s a scary place to be,” the source said, adding that the infrastructure for protests is already in place following recent inheritance tax demonstrations.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) said it had not been contacted by members about protest plans. An NFU spokesperson said: “The war in Iran is deeply concerning... The resulting disruption to global oil and gas markets is putting a significant strain on farmers and growers.” The union said it does not support protests that could inconvenience the public or disrupt supply chains.
Fuel prices have surged since the conflict began, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting oil shipments. The average UK diesel price has exceeded 190p a litre, approaching the record high seen in 2022. Failed peace talks over the weekend mean the strait remains closed, potentially pushing prices higher.
In Ireland, protests led by hauliers and farmers have entered their sixth day, targeting motorways, an oil refinery, and key depots. Police have made several arrests, and the Irish government called an emergency Cabinet meeting on Sunday to address the crisis. Northern Ireland’s political leaders have urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to act “decisively and without delay” to help those affected by rising fuel costs.
