Lib Dems Call on Labour to Scrap Family Farms Tax
Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick has called on the UK Labour Government to reverse their planned changes to the agricultural property relief scheme.
During a Parliamentary debate on the UK Government Budget last night, David Chadwick said that if Labour does not reverse its decision on APR, it would throw Welsh farming to the wolves in the same way previous industries in Wales were in the past.
Chadwick and the Liberal Democrats have warned the changes put family farms at risk and could result in young farmers unable to take on farms with a functioning business model after their parents pass away.
He also warned that this would have wider implications for the rural economy, with many businesses in Mid Wales supported by family farms and dependent on their survival.
The UK Government has previously said that 27% of farms will be affected by the changes and the move has come under widespread criticism from the NFU, FUW and CLA.
The Liberal Democrats have also warned other parts of the budget could have a negative impact on local farmers, including the rise in national insurance for employers and the removal of ringfenced funding for the farming budget in Wales.
Commenting David Chadwick MP said:
“Last week’s budget announcement saw Labour go back on several promises they made during the General Election.
“If they do not scrap this policy, they risk throwing family farms to the wolves in the same way previous industries in Wales were.
“For years, our local farmers have been forced to endure botched trade deals from the Conservatives in addition to the botched sustainable farming scheme from a Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay that doesn’t understand agriculture or rural communities.
“I don’t think those in Government truly understand the impact these things have had on farmers' mental health and also their ability to plan for their business into the future.
“I will continue to fight for the right for young farmers in my constituency to take on their family farm as a viable business and to ensure that the rural economy is given the support it needs to succeed.
ENDS