Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Family Farms

Wednesday 4 March 2026 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the Welsh Government focus on supporting family farms in Wales.
  • The Labour Government claims to be listening to Welsh farmers and has made changes to protect them and fix public finances.
  • The Wales Office has provided 337 million in support to farmers in Wales, according to the Minister.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Wales Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Discussions on supporting family farms in Wales are needed due to economic and landscape importance.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting family farms in Wales?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

Family farms play a crucial role in the economy, landscape, and language of Wales. Regular discussions occur with Ministers in Westminster and the Welsh Government about support for family farms. The Minister also regularly speaks to farmers and farming unions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on discussions with Cabinet colleagues

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Q2 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

International conflict risks increasing food and fuel prices, threatening UK food resilience.

Question

Instead of reviews and platitudes, action is needed to protect farmers and UK food resilience. Will the Minister scrap the damaging family farm tax?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

The Labour Government is committed to supporting farms across the country. The new president of NFU Cymru was recently visited, and family farms will be protected. The Government is a listening Government, striking a balance between supporting farms and fixing public finances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to action on the family farm tax

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Q3 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Wales Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Welsh Affairs Committee report calls for further work on inheritance tax reforms' impacts on Welsh family farms.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Chancellor's changes to the threshold for agricultural property relief and business property relief show that the Labour Government is listening to Welsh farmers?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

The Government listened to farmers and made necessary changes to protect them and fix public finances, which were damaged by the Conservative party. The Minister commends the Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee for dedication.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically agree or disagree with the Chancellor's changes

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Q4 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Welsh sheep farmers are concerned about accessing Australian and New Zealand sheep shearers due to animal welfare issues.

Question

Will the Minister listen to Welsh sheep farmers who are concerned about accessing shearers and ensure they can come in for the shearing season?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

The Minister regularly listens to farmers and speaks to farming unions. Important trade deals are being made to support farmers. The Government is repairing the reputation on the world stage after it was damaged by the Conservative party.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to action on shearers' access

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Q5 Henry Tufnell Lab Mid and South Pembrokeshire
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs Local Government
Context

Pembrokeshire farmers need support in sanitary and phytosanitary negotiations for realignment with the EU.

Question

How is the Minister working with the Welsh Labour Government to ensure maximum benefit for Pembrokeshire farmers from realignment with the EU?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

The Government is negotiating an agreement with the EU, the closest partner and biggest market. The Minister is slashing red tape and cutting costs for businesses in collaboration with the Welsh Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on negotiations

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Q6 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Wales Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

More than 400 farming businesses closed in Wales in 2025, highlighting the importance of farming to the Welsh economy.

Question

When did the Wales Office last make representations to the Cabinet about Welsh farmers, and what actions has the Minister taken to support farming in Wales?

Answer from Anna McMorrin

The Labour Government has provided £337 million of support to farmers in Wales. The Minister notes that the Welsh Conservatives voted against this support and introduced a motion to scrap the sustainable farming scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on representations or specific actions

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