Farm tax 'like playing roulette' with UK's food

A WEST dairy farmer has grave concerns over the UK Government's tax plans and argues any measures that go ahead should be balanced, fair and proportionate.

- IAN LEWIS

James Bowditch, a member of West Dorset NFU, said a policy safeguarding family farming and the food-producing industry is what is needed.

Proposed reforms would cap inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business property at £1 million, with assets above that threshold receiving only 50% relief.

Farmers and industry groups argue that the move would force families to sell land or break up long-established farms to pay large tax bills.

Mr Bowditch said: “The actual amount of tax revenue it is going to generate will be a teardrop in the blackhole that is the country’s finances at a huge cost to our food security and our farms.

“The policy preys on farmers’ unforeseen ill health and family grief and I feel it is like playing Russian roulette with the country’s ability to feed itself.

“Some farms may be taxed out of existence altogether. Farms across Dorset and the rest of the country have had a torrid year and many will struggle to pay the 20% proposed as profits and cash flows diminish.”