Politics News

Farming representatives have called on the UK government to look at the alternatives to the family farm tax, following the publication of the draft legislation for the Finance Bill.

NFU Cymru president Aled Jones has written to the prime minister urging for changes to the inheritance tax proposals, as they are causing “distress and torment” to the nation’s farmers.

Farming leaders have responded to the new food strategy, which DEFRA describes as a ‘fresh approach’ to building a modern food system that addresses critical challenges and helps people save money.

The Welsh farming community has expressed its disappointment following a comment made by the first minister in the Senedd, that farming contributes “less than 1%” to Welsh GDP. 

UK farming industry leaders said that further agricultural concessions would cripple an already hard-pressed farming and growing sector, which they argued had ‘done its bit’ on trade with the USA.

During his speech at Groundswell, environment secretary Steve Reed told farmers that restoring nature is “central to the government’s approach”, however, the NFU said updates to SFI still “lack clarity”.

After months of lobbying to protect housing for farm workers, NFU has secured support from the House of Lords after peers backed an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill.

A farming industry leader has responded to the latest DEFRA announcement that funding for Environment Agency farm inspections will double. The news coincides with the announcement of steep cuts to farming grants.

Members of East Anglia Farmers Unite shared their worries about the future of farming during a meeting with the shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, Robbie Moore, when he visited Ipswich. 

The government has included agri-tech and precision breeding as key elements within its Industrial Strategy. NFU has called this move a “huge win” for the UK farming industry.

Campaigners Farmers To Action and Enough is Enough are encouraging farmers to join them for a demonstration this weekend. 

NFU has issued a letter to prime minister Keir Starmer calling on the government to protect British farmers while negotiating the trade deal with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).