Trump's Agriculture Secretary Slams Labour's Inheritance Tax Decision on Farmers

Strategic Insights -

Labour's decision to impose inheritance tax on family farms has sparked outrage among farmers, with Donald Trump's agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, weighing in on the issue. Rollins, who met with UK business and environment secretaries Jonathan Reynolds and Steve Reed during a visit to the UK, said Labour's policy would lead to farm closures and outsourcing to America. The comments come as the UK and US recently signed a trade agreement that will lower the cost of US beef and bioethanol in the UK, potentially driving some arable farmers out of business.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour's inheritance tax decision on family farms has been met with widespread opposition from farmers, with 41% of voters believing it is the wrong policy, according to recent polling.
  • The decision will remove previous reliefs that protected family farms, with inherited assets of over £1 million to be subject to 20% inheritance tax from April 2026.
  • The Trump administration is "hyper-focused on putting our farmers first and getting American agriculture to the world", according to Rollins, who suggested that the UK should follow suit by prioritising its farmers.
  • Rollins has called on the UK government to "put farmers first" and recognises them as the "backbone of your country", highlighting concerns that Labour's policy could lead to farm closures and outsourcing to America.
  • The NFU has welcomed more US market access in the deal for UK beef producers but raised concerns about bioethanol imports, which could drive some arable farmers out of business.
  • US pork, poultry, seafood, rice, and speciality crops are now on the "front line" for trade with the UK, according to Rollins, who has pushed back on the narrative that American meat is unsafe to eat.

Statistics:

  • 41% of voters believe that Labour's inheritance tax decision is the wrong policy, while 30% say it is right, according to recent polling.
  • From April 2026, inherited assets of more than £1 million will be subject to 20% inheritance tax, removing previous reliefs that protected family farms.
  • Only around 5% of chicken produced in the US is now treated with chlorine, according to Rollins, who has pushed back on the narrative that American meat is unsafe to eat.

Sources:

  • GB News
  • The Telegraph
  • Farmer's Weekly
  • US Department of Agriculture
  • UK Government Press Office