National Farmers Union Reception
The NFU hosted a reception at the Conference where questions were put to a panel including Jess Assato, MP for Lowestoft, Jane Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth and Tom Bradshaw, Chair of the NFU. The topics ranged far and wide. The snippets of information I gathered are:
- Unlike the Tories, the Labour Government will develop a policy on farming resilience and food security.
- Potential young farmers must be shown they have a future in farming and family farms are part of that future.
- Farmers who diversify into fringe businesses are using them to subsidise their main farming activity because it’s often not financially viable on its own.
- Ironically, Tom said, the fuss over changes in inheritance tax for farmers have brought about a better mutual understanding between the NFU and the Government.
- The complexities of the planning system and the quixotic nature of some of the rules obstruct rural development.
- Rural crime – particularly illegal dumping – is an important issue for farmers.
- A group of Labour MPs who represent rural constituencies will be formed.
There were more farmers than Labour supporters at the meeting and we were encouraged to talk to each other. Inevitably I got involved in a discussion about inheritance tax but the lady farmer I spoke to was actually very balanced in her view. She knew that tax had to be raised but just hoped her husband lived for seven years after passing his farm on to their son!
Alan Conochie – October 2025