Govt accused of 'acting like Mafia' as angry farmers voice frustration with 'tragedy tax'

FARMERS gathered for a special summit in Topsham and attacked plans for a new inheritance levy.

- by ADAM TOMS

Growers met at Darts Farm to voice their fears at the prospect of having to pay millions of pounds because of changes due to come into force next year.

They heard the story of a 78-year-old farmer with cancer who says that if he were to die before April 6 next year he would not have to pay a penny more in inheritance tax. But, if he were to die after that date when those with more than £1 million in assets will be subject to a new levy, he would have to hand over more than £1m.

The changes brought in by Chancellor Rachel Reeves have been dubbed a 'tragedy tax' and many in the industry fear family farms won't be able to survive. Many were angry that their concerns are being ignored.

"It feels like nobody understands or cares about what we do," said Michael Dart, owner of Darts Farm, which sells food directly from its own land and from other local growers. Darts Farm shop was recently named as one of the best in Britain and is regularly hailed as a business success story after being founded by his father, Ronald.

He claimed the Government was acting "like the Mafia".