The meeting with Exchequer Secretary James Murray will take place on Tuesday 18 February and comes after the NFU’s #StoptheFamilyFarmTax campaign galvanised industry-wide support for calls on the government to rethink its Autumn Budget announcements.
Mr Murray has asked to meet with the NFU, TFA (Tenant Farmers Association), CLA (Country Land and Business Association) and CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers). This will be followed by another meeting with NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and UFU (Ulster Farmers’ Union).
Speaking with one voice, UK agriculture is urging Treasury ministers to be open to seeking solutions as they meet with all four UK farming unions and organisations from across the sector tomorrow to discuss the government’s disastrous family farm tax.
In an update on the evening of Monday 17 February, the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, CLA, TFA and CAAV, which represent and advise agricultural businesses right across the UK, have the same message for ministers: We must find a way forward together which is fair, removes the huge risk to British agriculture, including significant emotional and financial pressures, and delivers for UK food security, something the government continues to insist is a priority.
Collectively, these organisations will be discussing potential solutions with Mr Murray. More information on these proposals will be available after the meeting.
In a joint statement, the leaders of these organisations said: “Across every part of agriculture and its associated industries, and across every part of the UK, the message to the Treasury is the same – work with us to find solutions.
“Be prepared to listen not only to the UK’s farmers and growers, but also to food retailers and other companies in the food supply chain who have all said there must be a change to this policy.
“We come tomorrow to discuss proposals for that change that we think can help us move forward together in protecting British farming, British family-run farm businesses and, crucially, British food.”
Finding constructive solutions
More than 275,000 people have also signed an NFU petition to stop the family farm tax.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw, who was in Parliament meeting MPs last week and speaking at a farmer rally in Westminster, said: “I welcome the invitation to meet with the Treasury to discuss inheritance tax policy.
“Farmers and growers from across all generations have gone to great lengths to explain the devastating impact of changes to APR and BPR.
“The government now needs to listen and take action.
“I’m looking forward to having meaningful and productive conversations with the Treasury and remain committed to finding constructive solutions working with the Chancellor.”
Demonstrating support
Since the Chancellor announced the changes to inheritance tax, the NFU has been relentlessly on the front foot in Westminster and in the media, engaging with more than 430 MPs and showcasing the overwhelming support for the #StoptheFamilyFarmTax from the public.
On 25 February the NFU will bring to life the effect of inheritance tax policy changes in a display of tractors and pre-loved farm toys outside its annual conference at the QEII building in Westminster.
A multi-generational farming family will also hand over a selection of pre-loved farming toys to the Treasury with a message to Chancellor Rachel Reeves – a symbolic gesture to show Britain’s farming families who are being denied a future in the industry.