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NFU's Tom Bradshaw says Government must realise 'human impact' of Budget

Speaking to Farmers Guardian, NFU President Tom Bradshaw shared his reaction following the Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner's address to delegates at AIC conference today (November 13)

clock • 3 min read
NFU's Tom Bradshaw says Government must realise 'human impact' of Budget

Mr Bradshaw said the opening of Mr Zeichner's speech today seemed a ‘much softer stance initially', suggesting Labour are working with others to try and understand the implications. 

Mr Zeichner then, however, took a ‘hard line' when asked questions presenting delegates with mixed messaging.

READ NOW: Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner stands 'firmly with the Chancellor' on APR

Mr Bradshaw said: "[This is] probably first time we have heard that softer stance, then back to the story that we have been told for so long. This is far from done, we know that. I know the industry is not going to give up on this. [it is] down to Government now. They have got to be willing to have conversations."

There is, Mr Bradshaw said, the real-life human impact from this policy change, and the Government cannot ignore that - the quicker they understand and respect that, Mr Bradshaw said, the better.

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Otherwise, building a relationship between Government and the farming industry will be difficult, he warned, and urged them to listen to those who want to pass on their farm businesses ‘from generation to generation, we want to deliver food security, and all of this undermines that confidence." 

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Mr Zeichner earlier said he supported the Treasury's figures on Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

Mr Bradshaw said: "Clearly the Treasury figures are looking at historical claims. What the Treasury is not doing is understanding whether they are working farm businesses producing food for this country or simply estates; small lifestyle farms with 30 acres and a house. They are not farms; they are not producing the country's food. That is where the Treasury figures are so misleading.

"They also need to look at APR and Business Property Relief (BPR) claims. A lot of farms will be making dual claims. Some of intensive sectors will only be making BPR claims and there is no clarity on that data.

"We do not want to be antagonistic, but this is just wrong, and they must accept that.

"My absolute priority today is the human impact and remove the pressure on those elderly family members that still own their businesses. We have to remove that pressure, followed by a consultation where we can look at what they are trying to achieve."

Addressing delegates, Mr Bradshaw recalled Labour's promises pre-election to not change APR and said they have ‘ripped the rug from under the industry'.

Visibly emotional, Mr Bradshaw added: "The Minister stood there and ignored the human impact of this. That is wrong.

"This Government have got to wake up to what they have done.

"They wonder why we are cross. They wonder why the industry is going to London.

"They are just tone deaf to human impact and when I hear of 93-year-olds that own 368 acre farm that are not expected to live for seven years, that is wrong. We cannot as an industry just give up on this. So, passions are running high."

Mr Bradshaw also acknowledged that climate change is one of the industry's biggest threats, but he referenced what the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday, that we need to see a 20% reduction in meat and dairy consumption.

"Where is the consultation, the science and evidence that sits behind that? They talk about rebuilding confidence, partnership and respect. This feels like anything but."

 

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