Over 12k letters sent urging MPs to ‘speak up for farming’ ahead of Budget

A public letter-writing campaign launched by the NFU aims at highlighting the devastating impact of the family farm tax. 

The letters encourage MPs to watch an emotional interview aired by BBC Countryfile with Welsh farmer Tom Rees and his father Charles in which they talk about the disastrous consequences of the proposed inheritance tax changes on their family farm, especially on their ability to continue to produce food and the viability of the farm for future generations. 

The NFU said that its Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign has not only received enormous backing from the British public but also, over the past year, has had broad support from across the UK’s food and farming sectors and other allied industries, retailers and the influential Efra Select Committee, which have all said the family farm tax is unfair to those affected. 

The independent UK-based research centre CenTax has also argued that the policy needs changes to deliver the government’s intentions and has proposed a number of amendments. 

READ MORE: Fifth-generation farmer speaks out about his cancer diagnosis and IHT concerns

‘Awful and unfair tax’

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “We are so grateful to the British public for getting on board with this letter-writing campaign and for their unwavering support for our farmers and growers. 

“It is remarkable that in the space of less than two weeks, more than 12,000 letters have been emailed to politicians of all parties. Many MPs have been contacted by more than 50 constituents, which really helps the message cut through. 

“This awful and unfair tax is going to have so many unintended consequences, and the human impact is not being considered by the government. You only have to watch the powerful interview with the Rees family on BBC Countryfile to understand how many farming families will be left in the lurch, unable to afford horrendous future tax bills.” 

Mr Bradshaw stressed that the Autumn Budget is only two weeks away; however, even at this late stage, there is still time for the government to “do what is right” and “still raise the money that is needed”. 

“I urge them to review the alternatives that have been proposed by us and others to this totally unfair and damning family farm tax, to make the changes that will back British farming – and back investment in Britain’s future,” he concluded. 

READ MORE: Government asked to renew its relationship with farmers ahead of Autumn Budget

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