AVN Monitoring Desk
A heated confrontation unfolded at the Egg & Poultry Industry Conference in Newport, where the farming community expressed anger over changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) announced in the autumn budget, imposing a 20pc inheritance tax (IHT) on farming assets exceeding £1 million.
Raping the new policy, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) President Tom Bradshaw termed it a “badly thought-through policy” with far-reaching consequences. “The atmosphere in our industry is visceral,” he said, warning that the feeling of betrayal is unprecedented and that the damage caused by this budget will take years to repair.
In response, Daniel Zeichner, the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, acknowledged the backlash but defended the changes, citing the need to address public finances.
He urged farmers to review the policy details, noting that only 462 people claimed APR last year and suggesting the impact would be minimal with proper succession planning.
“Tom Bradshaw is a serious person, and I take his concerns seriously,” said Zeichner. “But there are differing views on how these measures will play out. The chancellor had to mend the public finances because the country could not continue as it was.”
During a fiery Q&A session, poultry business owner James Hook described the tax changes as an “earth-shattering blow,” accusing Zeichner of underestimating their impact. “I am an angry farmer. I don’t think you realise what you’ve done. This is a mess,” Hook declared.
Zeichner responded, “I hear you and recognise the discontent. But the mess stems from what we inherited from the previous government.”
Bradshaw also criticised the Labour government’s approach, highlighting the commitments made in its election manifesto regarding food security.
“In May 2023, Keir Starmer spoke of a new partnership with the countryside based on respect. Today, we question if those words held any meaning,” he said.
“I want to work in partnership, but I am beginning to doubt whether the government truly understands farming,” Bradshaw concluded.
