Supermarkets have called for the government to pause and consult after talks with the NFU.
The news follows the launch of the NFU’s pledge for industries allied to farming to sign in support of the campaign. Last week saw a show of strength from businesses exhibiting at LAMMA with representatives uniting behind NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Cymru President Aled Jones over the proposed changes to APR and BPR (Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief).
Responding to the news, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Those huge food retail businesses that have come out in support of our call for the family farm tax to be paused and to have a proper consultation are doing so not only because they see what a terrible effect it will have on the farmers they work with, but also because they know that if it is allowed to devastate family farms it will also devastate retailers’ ability to source the high-quality, sustainable food their customers want.
“On behalf of NFU members I want to thank them for their support.”
What have supermarkets said?
Morrisons
Head of Agriculture at Morrisons Sophie Throup delivered a video message to farmers. She said: “We want to send a message of support today for the whole of the farming community.
“We understand your anger and your frustrations at the inheritance tax and we’re with you.
“We share your concerns about the long-term future the inheritance tax is going to have on farms, particularly smaller family farms, and we know that you want something done about it. We’ve been raising these concerns at the highest levels of government since November last year and we will continue to do so.”
Tesco
In a statement on its website, Tesco said: “One message is loud and clear: farmers desperately need more certainty. After years of policy change, it has been harder than ever for them to plan ahead or to invest in their farms.
“One current area of uncertainty is the proposed change to inheritance tax relief. With many smaller farms relying on APR (Agricultural Property Relief) and BPR (Business Property Relief) we fully understand their concerns. It’s why we’ll be supporting the NFU’s calls for a pause in the implementation of the policy, while a full consultation is carried out.”
Co-op
In an email, sent directly to its farmer suppliers, the Co-op said: “I would like to confirm that we have directly contacted relevant government departments to communicate our hope that they will look again at the impact of the IHT/APR changes.
“We have also agreed to sign the UK Farming Unions letter going to the government imminently, thereby joining the call for a re-consideration of the proposed tax changes.”
Lidl
Also posting to its website, Lidl has said: “We are concerned that the recent changes to the Inheritance Tax regime will impact farmer and grower confidence and hold back the investment needed to build a resilient, productive and sustainable British food system.
“We, therefore, support the call by the farming community to pause the implementation of those changes and to consult with industry to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. We will be raising our concerns with Government at any opportunity we get.”
Asda
Asda has said: “Farming is a vital part of our supply chain. We need a confident farming sector which is able and willing to invest in its future.
“We have been raising our concerns with Government and will be supporting the NFU’s campaign calling for a pause in the implementation of APR to allow for proper consultation.”
The NFU will continue to work together with all industries that share our concerns over the government's proposals.
