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Agricultural industry

Back British Farming Day: Celebrating the Heroes of Britain's Food Production

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Shropshire farmers face unprecedented challenges, including the driest spring in over 100 years, which has severely impacted the harvest. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is urging the government to work together to build resilience and help farmers better prepare for extreme weather events. The NFU's Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign continues, criticizing the government's inheritance tax plans, which threaten the future of small and medium-sized family farms. The NFU is calling for changes to the policy, which they argue will not achieve the government's goal of tackling tax avoidance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NFU is concerned about the impact of inheritance tax changes on small and medium-sized family farms, which could lead to their decline and threaten national food security.
  • Independent research centre CenTax has published a report stating that the inheritance tax changes will not achieve the government's goal of tackling tax avoidance and will disproportionately impact farmers.
  • The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has concluded that the inheritance tax proposals are not fit for purpose, and the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that elderly farmers could be left "horribly exposed" due to the changes.
  • The NFU is also concerned about the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and is calling for the government to release details on the scheme to enable farmers to plan.
  • Rural crime continues to have a significant impact on farming families, and the NFU is working to tackle this issue, as well as others, including land use, planning, and fair treatment from supermarkets.
  • The NFU is celebrating Back British Farming Day, highlighting the importance of British food and farming and the role of farmers in feeding the nation.
  • The NFU is urging consumers to support British farmers by buying British produce, speaking to friends and family about food and farming, and writing to their MPs.

Statistics:

  • The government has stated that food security is national security, and the NFU is urging the government to demonstrate this commitment by addressing the challenges facing British farmers.
  • The inheritance tax changes could lead to the decline of up to 100,000 family farms, according to the NFU.
  • The NFU estimates that up to 90% of farmers could be impacted by the inheritance tax changes.
  • The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is the government's flagship scheme to reward environmentally friendly farming and nature recovery.
  • The NFU has announced plans to celebrate Back British Farming Day across Shropshire and in Westminster.

Sources:

  • National Farmers' Union
  • CenTax
  • Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • NFU Midlands regional board vice chair Mark Meadows

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