'Our rural way of life is at risk'

LABOUR'S "absolutely evil" policies are tearing the farming industry apart, a leading campaigner has warned.

- CIARAN MCGRATH AND AARON NEWBURY

Liz Webster, a Gloucestershire-based cattle and arable farmer, and founder of Save British Farming, slammed the Government's forthcoming introduction of a controversial new tax.

From April 2026, estates valued at more than £1million will lose 100% agricultural property relief, potentially imposing up to 40% tax on transfers and forcing sales to larger operators.

The move has been dubbed the "Family Farm Tax".

Mrs Webster said: "I've got friends and family with elderly relatives who are feeling as if they're a burden, and they are contemplating the unthinkable before this tax comes in. It's absolutely evil." She fears the Government is already on its way to destroying the industry, and eroding food security.

And she criticised Sir Keir Starmer, claiming he is aligning Britain more closely with what she sees as lower-standard US trade norms.

Mrs Webster said: "He's promising one thing and saying he's doing this, but in reality he's hitching us to America.

"America uses hormones, intensification - it would completely undercut us.