Suffolk farmers take part in national day of unity against inheritance tax changes
The Government's planning to introduce inheritance tax to agricultural land worth over £1 million
Farmers across Suffolk are joining a National Day of Unity as pressure builds on the government to halt the controversial family farm tax.
Today, Saturday 25th January, farmers across the country will thank the public for their support, and reaffirm their calls to the Government to call off its plans to introduce inheritance tax to agricultural land worth over £1 million.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Farmers haven’t taken this destructive policy lying down and we won’t give up.
"There is too much at risk – our families, our future, our heritage and the undermining of the very sector that produces a safe, secure supply of British food.
“This date will give everyone that wants to an opportunity to support family farms from right across the UK, to show unity and strength, and for farmers and growers to speak as one in our call for government to stop the family farm tax.
“We are so grateful to the British public for their ongoing support on this issue. The 25th is not just a day for the farming community to show unity, but anyone who believes Britain’s family farms, and the high quality food they produce, deserve to be better valued and supported.”
Glenn Buckingham is chair of the NFU in Suffolk: "It's really going to be good to talk to the public and to express our concerns to them and keep the public who are our ultimate customers on side and give them a chance to understand.
"The current economics of our agriculture do not really allow for the tax to be paid and it is also potentially damaging to the infrastructure of the farms effected.
"We take the responsibility of farming and producing the commodity crops and the animals and livestock that all become part of the food system. That's our business and to come in and do things without thinking of the unintended consequences suggests that they don't know and there is no trust between us."
There are events taking place in Bury St Edmunds, Halesworth, Framlingham and Lowestoft.
What does the Government say?
A Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on."
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