Exmoor farmers warn of tax’s threat to food security

Lewis Clarke

23 November 2024 at 5:40 am·2-min read

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

A petition against Labour’s inheritance tax scheme for farm owners has topped 100,000 signatures.

James Wright, a farmer from Exmoor and South West Chair of the Conservative Rural Forum, helped launch a national campaign to oppose Labour’s controversial budget measures, which he says threaten the survival of Britain’s countryside and food security. The petition, hosted at StopTheFarmTax.com, has gained over 100,000 signatures from the public across the country.

Labour budget includes the introduction of inheritance tax (IHT) on farmland and a new “job tax” that rural businesses claim will cripple the agricultural and the rural hospitality sector. Under the changes, farmland passed down through generations will no longer qualify for tax exemptions, placing a potentially insurmountable financial burden on family farms. The measures could lead to farmland being sold off to developers, disrupting food production and forcing rural communities to the brink of collapse.

James Wright, who attended the London protest against the budget warned of the devastating consequences.

“Labour have got their sums wrong because they don’t understand the countryside. These IHT changes will not just destroy family farms—they will put Britain’s food security at risk and leave rural communities at risk of collapse. Farmers are already battling rising costs and regulatory pressures. This tax grab will push many over the edge, forcing farms to close and robbing future generations of the ability to carry on their family’s legacy.”

He added: “The countryside is more than a source of food; it’s the heart of our nation’s identity and culture. Labour’s careless policies could irreversibly damage it. This is why we’re fighting back, and it’s why over 100,000 people have joined our call to stop this disastrous farm tax.”

The petition has rapidly gained traction, with support from farmers, rural business owners, and members of the public concerned about the future of Britain’s countryside.

To sign the petition and learn more about the campaign, visit StopTheFarmTax.com.

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