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Future of Farming

04 December 2024

Lead MP

Carla Lockhart
Upper Bann
DUP

Responding Minister

Mary Creagh

Tags

Crime & Law EnforcementTaxationClimateNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 9185
Other Contributors: 20

At a Glance

Carla Lockhart raised concerns about future of farming in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

The Government must revisit these policies to ensure the sustainability of farming for generations to come. The Minister should listen to farmers' concerns and prioritise support for UK agriculture before it is too late. Addressing labour shortages, supporting young farmers through education, and ensuring proper research on environmental measures are crucial.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Upper Bann
Opened the debate
Farmers face an existential threat from proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, which will cap full inheritance tax relief at £1 million. Independent analysis shows that up to 75,000 farming taxpayers will be impacted over a generation—five times the Government's initial estimate. In Northern Ireland alone, one third of farms and 75% of dairy farms will be hit the hardest. Farmers are also struggling with labour shortages, environmental restrictions, and disease threats, as well as the impact of Bovaer, an additive aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock.

Government Response

Mary Creagh
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your very crisp chairmanship, Sir Roger. I pay tribute to all hon. and right hon. Members for whittling down what must have been very long speeches into very short, but none the less well-received and well-delivered, speeches. We are committed to working closely with devolved Governments as we work to support British farmers and boost the nation's food security. Despite the difficult fiscal situation, we are maintaining the total level of Government support to farmers across the UK, including £5 billion in England over two years for sustainable food production. Environmental land management schemes will receive £1.8 billion in 2025-26, and we have announced that we will rapidly release £60 million through the farming recovery fund, supporting approximately 13,000 farm businesses affected by severe flooding last winter. We are also investing £208 million to protect the nation from disease outbreaks, and we will lower energy bills for farmers by switching on GB Energy, introduce grid reform for renewable energy integration, use Government purchasing power to back British produce, introduce a land use framework balancing food security with nature recovery, and launch a cross-Government rural crime strategy. On agricultural property relief changes, the Treasury's figures show that 500 estates a year will be affected, based on actual claims data endorsed by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. The reforms will not be introduced until April 2026, giving farmers time to plan and seek professional advice. We are better targeting tax reliefs to make them fairer and protect small family farms while fixing public services that farming families rely on.
Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.