Hundreds of tractors gathered in Westminster yesterday, creating a striking scene as the Defra Select Committee took expert evidence from the National Farmers Union, Country Land & Business Association, Tenant Farmers Association, and Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.
The event underscored the deep concerns within the agricultural community. NFU President Tom Bradshaw stated, "People in ill health or who don't believe they will live for seven years may well decide they shouldn't be here in April 2026." This poignant remark highlights a significant issue that has been echoed by many farming families. They are increasingly worried about elderly relatives who have dedicated their entire lives to maintaining the family farm. The Government needs to make adjustments before it is too late.
Farming families are already facing numerous challenges in the agricultural sector, not least having experienced this year the wettest 18 month period on record with exceptionally high levels of rainfall.
As Secretary of State I took a pro farming approach, announcing higher payment rates and more choice of schemes at the Oxford Farming Conference in January, the biggest ever grants package at the NFU conference in February, and extra flood support funding in May. Yet the uncertainty caused by the change to inheritance tax, annd delays to other funding, is now having a material impact on investment decisions on farms which in turn affects the many other rural businesses that provide services to farms. Labour’s family farm tax is set to devastate many family farms, and the rural businesses that supply them too, which is why so many travelled again to Westminster this week asking to be heard.
