Defra Secretary's 'warm words' at Oxford Farming Conference 'unjustified' without Inheritance Tax U-turn

How have farmers reacted to the Defra Secretary's speech?

clock • 3 min read
Ben Aveling, of Radmore Farm in Towcester, said: "He had a chance to redeem himself today. There are some good ideas in there and that farming should solely be for food production. But if there is no U-turn on Inheritance Tax, it does not matter what plans you have for the future because there will be no farms out there. You cannot have plans for the future of farming and then have plans to take them away. It is a privilege to be a farmer but you cannot tell me these plans will work if there are no farms. It will not work without them."
Image:

Ben Aveling, of Radmore Farm in Towcester, said: "He had a chance to redeem himself today. There are some good ideas in there and that farming should solely be for food production. But if there is no U-turn on Inheritance Tax, it does not matter what plans you have for the future because there will be no farms out there. You cannot have plans for the future of farming and then have plans to take them away. It is a privilege to be a farmer but you cannot tell me these plans will work if there are no farms. It will not work without them."

Defra Secretary Steve Reed has failed to grasp farmer's concerns surrounding Inheritance Tax changes at the Oxford Farming Conference. Mr Reed delivered his speech, containing more than 3,000 words,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Farm Business

'Yuck factor' keeps consumers away from insect-based meat alternatives

'Yuck factor' keeps consumers away from insect-based meat alternatives

New report says creepy crawlies fail to make the grade in search for animal-free proteins

clock 23 June 2025 • 2 min read
Middle East crisis impacts agricultural commodities

Middle East crisis impacts agricultural commodities

Rising tensions in the Middle East could impact grain, oilseed and fertiliser markets

Alex Black
clock 20 June 2025 • 2 min read
Royal Highland Show: Red meat sector calls on retailers to back Scotch over low welfare imports

Royal Highland Show: Red meat sector calls on retailers to back Scotch over low welfare imports

Quality Meat Scotland chair Kate Rowell said supermarkets must now send a clear message to farmers that they support and back their high reputational standards over lower welfare farming and cheap imports

clock 20 June 2025 • 8 min read