Hundreds of NFU Cymru members jumped aboard buses organised by the union – some leaving as early as 4am! -to travel to the UK capital on Tuesday 19th November to engage with their MPs and be a part of one of the biggest shows of collective strength from UK agriculture in recent memory. All farmers headed to London were united in their opposition of the UK Government’s intention to implement tax reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) which, the NFU and NFU Cymru contest, will financially cripple the next generation of UK farmers.
The day before the union’s main lobbying activities, NFU Cymru President Aled Jones and NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader met with the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, and officials from the UK Treasury. During this meeting, we made it clear that these changes will decimate the network of family farms in Wales and the country’s social and cultural fabric.
High demand
Upon arriving in Westminster, Welsh farmers were among 1,800 NFU members to attend special events in Church House assembly hall. Demand for the event was so high – tripling the venue’s maximum capacity – that organisers had to conduct three separate sessions of 600 farmers each to ensure all those who had registered could attend. Those present heard rousing addresses from NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Cymru President Aled Jones outlining the unions’ robust case against the government’s plans.
UK Government claims that only 27% of UK farms will be affected by the new thresholds. This assertion, though, appears to be at odds with its own department, Defra. The NFU’s economic analysis - undertaken in conjunction with independent tax experts - indicates the number of affected farms is likely to be closer to 75% This is a far more accurate reflection of the volume of concern about the impacts of APR voiced to the NFU Cymru network. Such a figure is completely unacceptable.
Local MP meetings
Following the mass lobby event, NFU Cymru members went on to meet their local MPs to illustrate how these ill-thought-out changes will affect farmers in their respective constituencies. NFU Cymru members met with more than a quarter of Welsh MPs: Ben Lake (Ceredigion Preseli), Llinos Medi (Ynys Môn), Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) and Liz Saville-Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) of Plaid Cymru; Labour MPs Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire), Henry Tufnel (Mid and South Pembrokeshire), Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr), Chris Elmore (Bridgend), Clair Hughes (Bangor Aberconwy) and Becky Gittins (Clwyd East); as well as Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick (Brecon, Radnor & Cwm Tawe), who was accompanied by Shadow Treasury Portfolio Holder Daisy Cooper MP. In total, the NFU engaged with an incredible 220 MPs, quite a feat for an event that was organised just two weeks previously. Once again this highlights the power of the NFU’s lobbying machine and why, as a union, we are stronger together.
Farmer rally
After the individual MP meetings, NFU Cymru President Aled Jones made the short walk across Westminster to take to the stage at the nearby farmer rally alongside the other UK farming union presidents. It is estimated that more than 10,000 UK farmers were gathered to show their opposition to the APR changes.
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “The strength of feeling from our members about the impact these changes are likely to have on their businesses has been like nothing I have seen before. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have heard from farmers - many of whom are already weighed down with the level of uncertainty around future policy and support payments, along with the impacts of persistently terrible weather - now in complete despair after hearing the UK Government’s plans. It is hardworking family farms and the next generation of young farmers that are taking the brunt of these changes and that is of great concern to me.
“This is why it was so important that, as an industry, we spoke with a united voice in Westminster – and that is exactly what happened this week. I applaud all those NFU Cymru members who travelled to London to make their case with their elected representatives so passionately and powerfully. We need to see these MPs defending the interests of their farming constituents. Following the mass lobby at Church House, I travelled down Whitehall to the organised rally. Looking out over a sea of more than 10,000 farmers, all united in their determination to make their voice heard and bring about change, is a moment that will stay long in the memory. Each attendee was a credit to UK agriculture and conducted themselves brilliantly.
“But the show of strength in London is only the beginning. We will continue to challenge and oppose the unacceptable human impact of this policy until we have fundamental changes to the proposed legislation.”
