NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “We have been seeking a meeting with the Treasury since October when the budget was delivered, in order to try and work together constructively and find a solution to a policy that has the potential to cause irreparable damage to family farming businesses across the UK. We went into today’s meeting with a fully costed, revenue neutral alternative proposal to put to the government, which would allow those who wish to continue farming and producing the nation’s food to continue to do so. It therefore disturbs me immensely to say that there was no engagement and no willingness to even consider alternative proposals from the Treasury and their position appears unchanged.
Flawed data
“That position seems to be entrenched based on flawed data and assumptions, and completely resistant to any suggestion that they may simply have ‘got this wrong’. I am baffled that the UK Government remains intent on pursuing such a deeply damaging policy in light of challenge by the Office of Budgetary Responsibility, the House of Commons’ Efra Select Committee, all the serious concerns expressed by farmer representative organisations, politicians of all parties, professional bodies including independent tax experts and businesses from the four corners of the UK.
“Standing firmly together with colleagues from NFU, NFU Scotland and Ulster Farmers Union, NFU Cymru has, at every available opportunity, highlighted the implications of this destructive policy to the UK Government and policymakers far and wide, leaving no stone unturned as we seek to get the government to think again. Regrettably, our representations have so far simply been ignored, our reasonable exhortations have been dismissed, every conciliating gesture rebuffed and the alternative proposals which we presented have been rejected without consideration.
Long-term outcomes
“If the government is truly intent on pursuing this policy it must also own and understand the long-term outcomes. I have no confidence in the government’s policy choices, the damage to family farms, the impact to farmers well-being, the loss of farmer and wider business confidence, the impact on long term domestic food production, food prices, our tenanted sector and of course our unique language and culture.
“This has been a bruising process, and to date we have not been able to secure the outcome that we desired. Throughout this time we have enjoyed support from all quarters, from the shows of strength, solidarity and togetherness put on by the farming and wider rural communities over the last few months to the steadfast backing of so many MPs and politicians from all political parties, and so many members of the public, I have been left humbled by their support and we are indebted to them all.
'Still time to stop and think again'
“We face an incredibly difficult situation but there is still time for the Treasury to stop and think again. The legitimate proposal we put to the Minister and his officials today remains on the table for their consideration and I urge them to reconsider. It will still enable Treasury to raise further funds, it will offer a fairer and more balanced way forward and removes much of the jeopardy for our agricultural sector, including the significant emotional and financial pressures, not forgetting the risks to national food security.”
The Autumn Budget and IHT - NFU Cymru's lobbying work
NFU Cymru meets with Treasury Minister
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones has met with Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP and Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner following changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, announced last Autumn and due to take effect from April 2026.
Young NFU Cymru members lobby MPs in Westminster on inheritance tax changes
Two young NFU Cymru members gave MPs a stark warning about their farming future should the UK Government press on with its planned changes to inheritance tax reliefs.
Food industry coalition issues warning to the Treasury over IHT changes
More than 50 signatories representing the food manufacturing industry joined forces as never seen before to urge the Treasury to rethink its proposed changes to inheritance tax announced as part of the Autumn Budget.
Farmers across Wales oppose family farm tax plans on National Day of Unity
NFU Cymru members from across Wales showed their opposition to the UK Government’s planned changes to inheritance tax with a series of events and activities on Saturday 25 January.
The campaign activity was part of the NFU’s National Day of Unity events being held around the UK to show the industry’s opposition to the family farm tax.
Family farm tax petition handed to No.10
A petition signed by more than 270,000 members of the public has been handed in to 10 Downing Street by NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Cymru President Aled Jones on behalf of the four UK farming unions, urging the government to ditch its devastating family farm tax.
NFU Cymru Council shows opposition to family farm tax
Farmers on NFU Cymru Council have sent a strong message to UK Government that the industry remains strongly opposed to the family farm tax proposals.
Members of NFU Cymru Council - the union’s governing body, made up of farmers from across Wales, representing farms of all sizes and in all sectors - gathered in Cardiff on Monday 20 January for a meeting to discuss issues affecting the industry.
Agricultural industries join call to stop the family farm tax
The NFU and NFU Cymru launches a pledge at LAMMA for allied industries to add their name and ask the government to pause and consult on proposed changes to APR and BPR.
Numerous agriculture-related industries at LAMMA expressed their concerns that their businesses will suffer because of the government’s proposed changes to APR and BPR.
Allied industries: Sign our pledge
NFU Cymru is a joint signatory to a letter from UK farming organisations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
The letter called for the scope of the expected UK Government consultation on changes to APR and BPR to be widened.
NFU Cymru joins Big Banner Day
NFU Cymru, alongside the NFU, NFU Scotland and Ulster Farmers’ Union, organised a Big Banner Day as part of its ongoing campaign to #StopTheFamilyFarmTax.
Numerous meetings with MPs
NFU Cymru had a number of meetings with MPs across Wales.
NFU Cymru submits evidence to Welsh Affairs Committee
NFU Cymru sends submission to the House of Commons’ Welsh Affairs Committee on the impact of the Autumn Budget on Welsh agriculture
NFU Cymru members challenge APR changes in Westminster
NFU Cymru members joined farmers from around the UK in London, in a massive show of strength and unity against the UK Government’s inheritance tax reforms
NFU Cymru officeholders attend Welsh Labour Party Conference
Aled Jones and Abi Reader lobbied Welsh MPs on changes to Inheritance Tax, during the Party Conference in landudno
NFU Cymru President meets with Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales
NFU Cymru President meets with Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales following the NFU Cymru letter requesting an urgent meeting to discuss Agricultural Property Relief.
NFU Cymru writes letter to Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales
NFU Cymru writes a letter to Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales - Agricultural Property Relief & Request for an urgent meeting
NFU Cymru expresses its fears for the future of the family farm following the changes to APR and BPR announced in the Autumn statement.
‘Misguided and ill-thought-out reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will not only lead to lasting damage to Welsh farming and the break-up of family farms, but will also leave farmers with neither the means, confidence nor the incentive to invest in the future of their business,’ says NFU Cymru. Read NFU Cymru's views here
UK Autumn Budget 2024
The UK Autumn Budget 2024 is announced.
NFU Cymru writes letter to Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales
NFU Cymru writes a letter to Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales ahead of the budget announcement.
NFU Cymru writes joint letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget
NFU Cymru along with the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union writes a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves following recent speculation that Inheritance Tax Reliefs (IHT), including Agricultural Property Relief (APR) as well as Business Property Relief (BPR), are to be reviewed in the Budget. Read the letter here
NFU Cymru writes to MPs ahead of Autumn budget
NFU Cymru writes a letter to all 32 Welsh MPs ahead of the new government’s first budget, setting out its position on agricultural support funding and also making the case as to why there should not be any changes to Agricultural Property Relief. Read the letter here
Farming budget tops agenda as NFU Cymru meets Welsh Government heads
NFU Cymru meet with Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales, alongside Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies. Top of the agenda was funding for agriculture and progress on the development of the Sustainable Farming Scheme. Read more here
NFU Cymru writes letter to Chancellor ahead of Budget
NFU Cymru at the Conservative Party Conference
NFU Cymru joined the NFU at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. NFU held a fringe panel event discussing the future agriculture budget.
NFU Cymru at the Labour Party Conference
NFU Cymru joined the NFU at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. NFU Cymru used this as an opportunity to push forward our key ask of Government; that is an agricultural budget that allows us to be able to meet our ambitions to be world leading in the production of climate friendly food against a backdrop where nature is thriving on our farms. Read more here
NFU Cymru meets with Defra Minister of State, Daniel Zeichner MP
NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader was pleased to welcome Defra Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner on to her farm. This visit gave the Minister an opportunity to look at some of the issues and challenges facing agriculture, specifically those non-devolved matters such as future UK Government funding for the sector and the UK’s national food security. Read more here
Budget top of the agenda at County Shows
Throughout July & August the budget was discussed at County Shows across Wales.
Budget top of the agenda at NFU Cymru General Election hustings
NFU Cymru members across Wales had the opportunity to quiz their parliamentary candidates at county General Election hustings.