Farmers across Bedfordshire are set to unite with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) tomorrow (Saturday) to protest against proposed inheritance tax changes they believe could devastate family-run farms.
The NFU’s National Day of Unity will see farmers engaging with the public across the UK, including in Bedford, to thank them for their support and call on MPs to ensure the proposed tax reforms receive thorough consultation and scrutiny.
In Bedford, local farmers will be at supermarkets between 10 am and 2 pm, speaking with shoppers about the potential impact of the so-called “family farm tax.”
The NFU warns that these changes could not only put farmers at risk but also harm the rural economy, affecting small businesses nationwide.
NFU Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire chair, Freya Morgan, said she hopes the public would recognise the importance of local support.
“We appreciate there is a huge amount of support from the public for farmers, and this is something that we do not take for granted. Farmers will be out thanking the public on Saturday, so please come over for a chat if you see us when you are out and about,” she said.
Morgan explained that farmers are concerned the proposed tax reforms could have far-reaching consequences.
“We will talk to people about the NFU’s campaign to stop the family farm tax and how this is not just an issue for farmers, but something that will damage the entire rural economy and impact small businesses everywhere,” she added.
“It will seriously threaten farmers’ ability to deliver national food security and could lead to higher food prices in supermarkets. If family farms close due to these changes, a huge amount of environmental work to protect the great British countryside could also be lost.”
Government’s stance on tax reforms
Officials argue the Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief reforms will see wealthier estates contributing a fair share to public finances. They estimate around 500 estates per year will be affected, with most family farms remaining unaffected.
However, the NFU and other farming organisations have told the Financial Times the reforms could force many family farms to sell off land to meet tax liabilities, jeopardising UK food security and potentially leading to higher food prices.
Earlier this week, MPs urged Sir Keir Starmer to clarify how many farms would be affected by the changes, given the difference in estimates between the Treasury and farmers’ unions.
As reported in The Telegraph, Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee called for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss help for farmers amid the “strength of feeling on this matter amongst farmers and stakeholders”.
A government spokesman also told The Telegraph, “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast.
“We have committed £5bn 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 reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will mean estates will pay a reduced effective inheritance tax rate of 20pc, rather than standard 40pc, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free.
“This is a fair and balanced approach, which fixes the public services we all rely on, affecting around 500 estates next year.”
