Reports from:
NFU President Tom Bradshaw told more than 80 Somerset members gathered at Rumwell Farm Shop that he believed the Government’s inheritance tax proposals were “wicked and inexcusable”, in particular an ‘anti-forestalling clause’ which has been included in the legislation.
“[This] has left the terminally ill and elderly members of our farming community completely trapped because transfers since last year’s [Autumn 2024] budget take place under the new rules which don’t supposedly come into effect until April 2026.
“It is absolutely wicked and it is inexcusable to treat people the way they have.
“The only way for this to change this is for MPs in our government to raise their heads above the parapet, in opposition to the policy, and demonstrate that they are going to support the farmers living and working within their constituencies.”
Speaking before the Chancellor’s Budget speech, Mr Bradshaw said that unless changed the policy would have severe unintended consequences, such as farms being forced to sell off land and core business assets to fund significant and unexpected tax bills.
“If we don’t hear any changes to inheritance tax, that isn’t when we stop, that just moves us into the next stage of trying to amend the Government’s Finance Bill.”
The Group Secretary award was presented to the Ilminster office and there was a special presentation to former South regional director and Director of Regions and Membership Mel Squires, who left the NFU in November after 23 years’ service.
Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight members heard from NFU South regional director and director Tom Rabbetts.
Tom outlined the region’s policy priorities, which include business resilience, water quality, infrastructure and animal and plant health.
County chair Robyn Munt reflected on a successful year’s activity including the Isle of Wight farming Conference, a health and safety event and lobbying MPs on a variety of matters including support for small abattoirs.
She also asked members to bear health and safety in mind, particularly the NFU’s ‘Take 5 to Stay Alive’ campaign.
The Outram Award for an outstanding contribution to farming on the island was presented to Caroline Knox, with the Conservation Award going to Anna Smith for her work on regenerative farming.
Cornwall
In Cornwall the guest speaker was NFU Director of Communication James Clark who brought members up to date with lobbying work on the government’s inheritance tax proposals.
There was a special Q&A session with county chair Ashley Jones who was recently named Farmer of the Year at the Farmers Weekly awards.
Cheryl Valter and Rachel Sleep from Launceston office were presented with the group secretary award.
Devon
Devon’s Winter Conference was held at Westpoint with a panel of speakers looking at the economic prospects for farming.
NFU economist James Thompson gave an overview of the work of the NFU’s economics team and the outlook for farming which has been challenging recently, with farm profits coming under pressure from a variety of factors.
Lily Gibson Fleming, a partner at Andersons farm consultants, said that volatility was one of the main issues affecting farmers. This included volatility in weather patterns, prices and labour availability.
But she said there were still opportunities in farming, with businesses that had clear objectives, a sound business plan and the ability to take advantage of any diversification opportunities being the most likely to prosper.
Matt Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer of Oxbury Bank, agreed that diversification was one of the keys to keeping farming profitable with customers running everything
He also talked about how the bank was able to utilise satellite data to show the positive impact farmers are having on biodiversity, which helped give investors a much more rounded picture of the industry.
The meeting also heard updates from national livestock board chair David Barton and head of external affairs Olivia Phoenix.
David told members about his work to make beef production both environmentally and financially sustainable and said that due to a recent increase in prices he was feeling “pretty chipper,” but that had not always been the case.
“I will never apologise for the price we are receiving; it’s the price we should be getting. Red meat is a very important protein.”
Olivia outlined some of the NFU’s lobbying work, which as well as inheritance tax has included work on the Renter’s Rights Bill, preventing illegal imports and legislation to help protect livestock from dog attacks.
She also talked about the NFU’s involvement in the Food and Farming Fellowship scheme, which seeks to educate MPs about the work farmers do.
Dorset
More than 90 members gathered at the Dorset Museum and Art Gallery for the county’s annual meeting and a dinner created from Dorset produce including local watercress, beef, vegetables, cheese and a selection of beer, cider, wine and soft drinks.
The meal was expertly catered by Taste, and generously supported by The Watercress Company, ABP, Washingpool Farm, Costal, Barbers, and Blue Vinney, with drinks provided by Hall & Woodhouse, Piddle Brewery, Cranborne Chase Cider, Purbeck Cider, and wine from Furleigh Estate.
County chair Tim Gelfs and adviser Dirk Russell took members through a busy year in Dorset, which has included a successful countryside day when stakeholders are invited onto farm, activity during show season and work to lobby MPs.
Regional director Tom Rabbetts spoke about the immense amount of MP lobbying which had taken place ahead of the budget and the NFU’s work on other measures to improve business resilience including planning reform and access to finance.
The Group secretary award was won by the Dorchester office.
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire’s annual meeting heard from NFU President Tom Bradshaw, who had come direct from Westminster and was able to share the results of that evening’s vote on the government’s inheritance tax proposals with the meeting.
A number of Labour MPs abstained, showing their dissatisfaction with the government’s position. Tom said this had only been made possible because of the work the NFU had done to build alliances with MPs from all parties.
Tom said that although the vote was encouraging, work continued to mitigate the effects of legislation, in particular on elderly and ill farmers who would have the least opportunity to sort out their affairs. He added that the first opportunity to overturn the legislation altogether would probably come at the next change of government.
“We need to continue to build those bridges, we will be asking other parties to put [abolishing the family farm tax] in their manifestos. Rest assured we continue to work as hard as we can to get this pernicious legislation overturned.”
As well as covering inheritance tax, Tom took questions on trade, SFI and bovine TB.
Regarding TB, Tom acknowledged the contribution of Gloucestershire farmers who were instrumental in driving the policy in its early days and told the meeting that talks were continuing to make sure that the Government’s long-awaited strategy to control the disease was fit for purpose.
“Government policy at the moment is severely lacking, there is no energy and there has been an unacceptable delay. It is clear that you won’t control the disease without controlling the vector, [TB cases] are not going in the right direction and it’s vital we have the controls we need.”
Charles Day was thanked for all his hard work over his two years as county chair, with Liz Godsell taking over. Liz showed members a ‘countryside stick’ that will be presented to former NFU President Minette Batters.
Jeremy Chamberlayne was given a special award for his work over many years as a liaison with the CPRE.
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