[News] Farmers

[Thunder Bolt]

Sorry if it’s already been asked here, but why/when were farms/farmland exempted from IHT?

Margaret Thatcher mid 1980s

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

If more people bought locally it would be fairer and more sustainable . . . Remember those cheap veg from supermarkerts are also being driven round in lorries, flung through distribution depots and also have to sustain profits . . . lots of that comes from the continent, so malking things worse both ends of the stick!

DO you need some, there are several outlets near here ;-)

we grow a lot of our own these days . . . Not sauasages, there does seem to be a lack of good butchers, or butchers who sell good & local meat!

Indeed.

Sainsbury often sells asparagus from Peru. And I thought Paddington was a long way away.

The most sustainable green produce in my neck of the woods, however, is not Macknade's, but Tackle's garden. Specifically my asparagus patch. More than 450 spears this year. At between 50P and a quid a spear, well you can do the maths.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Margaret Thatcher mid 1980s

That's the 'when'. But there is no need to add the reason why

 

[jackanada]

Worth pointing out at this juncture that the UK has not been remotely self-sufficient for food since the late 18th century.

Hence the whole Empire thing and rationing during the war.

Also worth pointing out that large land owners were given public land to turn over to farming during the war and we've never got it back.
Mind you I'm still bitter about the inclosure acts.

 

[Rdodge30]

I think you have proven @Herr Tubthumper 's point. This (hardball from supermarkets) has indeed been going on for decades, but it is only now that Labour are in charge that the farmers have mobilized in their hundreds of thousands in London to demand action.

Because it’s Labour that have reduced funding subsidies by 79% and put in place the inheritance tax that means they will lose their farms. You talk about education why on earth do you think it is cheaper to fly in food ? Lack of necessary regulations, animal welfare and decent wages might be it

 

[clapham_gull]

Just seen Clarkson's interview.

Fair play to coming out to support the farmers, but to talk to Victoria Derbyshire (and about her employer) like that.

Clarkson made the BBC millions, but they paid him millions too.

Apparently he made the story up about tax because the BBC "hates" shooting

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Are you being serious?

Supermarket buying practices has been a talking point for years, likely decades.

From a 5-minute search, I found the following articles, and this sample paragaph is typical of a story I've heard countless times:

"The week began with a price negotiation with a very large supermarket over one of the products that we supply to them. I say “negotiation”; strictly speaking we had already agreed the price once, they wanted it lower still. In fact, I don’t know why I’m calling it a negotiation at all – the buyer demanded a 21% price reduction if we wanted to keep the business and that was that."

2004 - Farmers take Tesco to task over 'ruthless' pricing - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...sco-to-task-over-ruthless-pricing-732745.html

2009 -Ireland-Farmers complaining over supermarkets profits - https://www.farminguk.com/news/ireland-farmers-complaining-over-supermarkets-profits-_15413.html

2011 - British farmers forced to pay the cost of supermarket price wars - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jul/02/british-farmers-supermarket-price-wars

2012 -Supermarket price negotiations – they work both ways - https://www.fwi.co.uk/farm-life/supermarket-price-negotiations-they-work-both-ways

2016 - Pig farmers are 'more vulnerable to unfair treatment by supermarkets' as prices fall - https://www.farminguk.com/news/pig-...ent-by-supermarkets-as-prices-fall_38478.html

2022 - Food prices: Why farmers get the smallest share and how to change it - https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/food-prices-why-farmers-get-the-smallest-share-and-how-to-change-it -

2024 - Supermarkets under fire for squeezing farmers in supply chain - https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/supermarkets-under-fire-squeezing-farmers-9055436

There's so much ignorance on here sometimes.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

He claims farms under 100 acres are not viable yet half of all farms in uk are under 20 hectares (about 50 acres).

Farming evidence - key statistics (accessible version)

www.gov.uk

Many of which are not viable.

Many are owned by people with other jobs and are hobby farmers

 

[Cordwainer]

Margaret Thatcher mid 1980s

Thanks..adds a bit of context!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Because it’s Labour that have reduced funding subsidies by 79% and put in place the inheritance tax that means they will lose their farms. You talk about education why on earth do you think it is cheaper to fly in food ? Lack of necessary regulations, animal welfare and decent wages might be it

Your first statement is false. Labour have not reduced subsidies by 79%. Nothing remotely close.

As for the rest.... yes I know why it is cheaper to fly in food. The same reason that it is cheaper to buy clothes made by children in the far East.

Are you in favour of cheap food and clothes....or not?

I am not, but I can afford to pay extra. Put it to a vote and I can guarantee how the nation would respond.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

There's so much ignorance on here sometimes.

Sometimes?

 

[MJsGhost]

Also worth pointing out that large land owners were given public land to turn over to farming during the war and we've never got it back.
Mind you I'm still bitter about the inclosure acts.

Have you read this?

 

[Bodian]

Worth listening to Guy Singh-Watson (Riverford Organics) on this subject. He was interviewed on World at One today (starts at 18:23). Also summarised in his article in this week's vegbox.



He recommends increasing the IHT threshold to £7m (& tax rate to 40%) and removing the CGT loophole that allows rural landowners to buy more agricultural land free of tax when they sell some for development.

Yes - he has this in there.

Almost precisely what Reeves is doing!

I think you have proven @Herr Tubthumper 's point. This (hardball from supermarkets) has indeed been going on for decades, but it is only now that Labour are in charge that the farmers have mobilized in their hundreds of thousands in London to demand action.

They did mobilize twice before. Once when the fuel tax went up - funnily enough under Labour (Blair), and again as the 'Countryside Alliance' regarding hunting and other stuff. Funnily enough that was when Labour were in power as well. I don't recall any protests under the Tories - but see below.....

Sorry if it’s already been asked here, but why/when were farms/farmland exempted from IHT?

.....Thatcher. See above re protests!

Also worth pointing out that large land owners were given public land to turn over to farming during the war and we've never got it back.
Mind you I'm still bitter about the inclosure acts.

Are you John Clare?

Because it’s Labour that have reduced funding subsidies by 79% and put in place the inheritance tax that means they will lose their farms. You talk about education why on earth do you think it is cheaper to fly in food ? Lack of necessary regulations, animal welfare and decent wages might be it

The biggest shake-up and potential reduction in subsidies is because of the post-Brexit loss of EU subsidy funding. Which party did that happen under?

 

[abc]

I am not entirely familiar with the workings of the free market economy but if it is cheaper for supermarkets to fly in food from Chile then does it not mean that the local farms are not economical?

Many countries around the world have massively lower production costs than the uk (no idea specifically about Chile) due to everything from wages, legislation and land costs to environmental and welfare standards. Furthermore, most countries subsidise their farmers, we no longer do in the Uk (except for payments to grow wild flowers not food).

By all means, close down our farms and buy in everything from abroad. You may find you have some very empty shelves in the supermarket.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Sometimes?

Sorry Harry as you know, we get on, but this time, I'll leave it there

 

[Springal]

We’re all to blame anyway for giving all our money to supermarkets.

Last year I discovered I can go to Trenchmore Farm near Cowfold, pay the same price /kg for a roasting joint of Sussex beef of significantly better quality as Sainsbury’s will charge you as one example.

Pork seems a bit more tricky, I try to use a local tenant farmer but his bacon is £5 a pack which is a lot more than supermarket but significantly better quality.

Chicken is pretty difficult as well given the terrible conditions we accept for cheap supermarket chicken

But we are all lazy and want the convenience of a supermarket and don’t really care about farmers, unless the media tells us to be

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

More closing than opening - just in the immediate area Hassocks is now a housing estate, Waterhall has been 'rewilded', and the Burgess Hill par 3 course will be a housing estate in a few years time. Lots of courses struggling financially.

I was a member at Hassocks before the owner sold it, apparently £50,000 rent from the club per annum wasn’t enough for him, but seeing Bellway selling small 4 beds north of £600k suggests a few million was made.

I wasn’t aware that the BH course was still due to be transferred, assuming they extended the lease as the original one expired a few years back? Quids in for the Oak Barn if a development is added

 

[JackB247]

The Government is right to get the unpopular decisions out the way earlier but I think they've made misjudgements with the Budget in a multitude of ways and they've definitely picked an unnecessary fight here politically against the NFU/farming community.

Such is the strength of feeling on this I think it's fair to say that those Labour MPs who won rural seats in July can already kiss goodbye to those in 28 or 29.

 

[beorhthelm]

Yes - he has this in there.
View attachment 192638
Almost precisely what Reeves is doing!

it's set to £1m not £3m. look at the preceding line suggesting a basis around 300 acres at 10k. the threshold will take in 100 acre or lower with substantial buildings value. people in favour like to double up spouse sharing allowance and lump in some other factors to inflate to a higher number.

all to raise about £500m. funny when looking back through Hansard on earlier debate in 70's on this issue, it raised around the same. IHT raises so little but attracts so much attention.

 

[Bodian]

people in favour like to double up spouse sharing allowance and lump in some other factors to inflate to a higher number.

Because that's the reality.