An update from CLA Regional Director Cath Crowther
Cath provides an update on how the CLA is challenging government over inheritance tax changes and the agricultural budget
CLA Regional Director Cath Crowther provides an update on the CLA’s latest lobbying efforts following the Budget and calls for MPs to now get out on farms to see the impact for themselves.
“The government claims to back farmers but their words seem hollow against a backdrop of tax rises, a cut in real terms to the agriculture budget and a speeding up of the end of direct payments.
“Failure to increase the budget will leave farmers unable to deliver on food security or the government's environmental commitments. It will hit sustainable food production and undermine improvements to wildlife habitats, flood management and access to nature.
“Ministers are still saying that capping vital inheritance tax reliefs only affects the wealthiest, but the Chancellor’s tax grab may endanger as many as 70,000 farms – from the average family farm up to our biggest food producers.
“If just 5% of rural businesses fail, it could lead to tens of thousands of job losses in the rural economy. So much for a government that claims to have economic growth at its heart.
“The rally in London has demonstrated the scale of anger felt by farmers and rural businesses across the country. Those who travelled to the capital feel betrayed by a government that has forced them to speak out and take action.
“MPs must now get out of Whitehall and into the countryside to listen to the hard-pressed farmers who are facing a catastrophic drain on their businesses.
“In recent days, the CLA has held meetings with Steve Reed, Defra Secretary of State, and with the Treasury, to provide evidence on how their decisions will have a devastating impact on family farms.
"We are with Steve Reed again this week at the CLA Rural Business Conference.
“Thousands of our members joined a CLA campaign to send a letter that we drafted to their MP calling for the decision to be reversed. It will be very difficult for MPs to ignore such a strong strength of feeling and we believe that this will lead to more pressure on the chancellor for a u-turn.
"The CLA has featured heavily in the national and regional media and supported members who have spoken to journalists about the impact the announcements in the Budget will have on them.
"There is a wealth of information on the CLA's dedicated website page which provides members with the very latest developments following the Budget. This includes frequently asked questions and a rebuttal document that provides clarity on some of the misconceptions that have been circulating."