Council writes to Government over future of farming

21 Jan 2025 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

The Leader of the County Council has written to Government raising concerns on the future for farming in Northumberland. 

It comes after Members voted to support a motion at Full Council calling on the Government to reverse changes to inheritance tax law on agricultural land. 

One of the recommendations agreed by the Council was that the Leader would write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, expressing the Council’s concerns at the changes. 

In his letter, Council Leader Glen Sanderson said he believed the ‘future stewardship for the countryside and the UK’s food security was at stake’.   

He wrote: “The proposed changes to IHT are already impacting.  I’ve heard of orders for new tractors and equipment being cancelled.  Contractors who build fences and construct farm buildings are telling me their work is drying up.  The very nature of our countryside and fabric of rural communities is under threat.  

“I’m proud to run our family farm, doing my small bit to feed the nation.  But, as Leader of the County Council, it’s my duty to highlight the real risk to farming.  I will continue to engage with farmers and rural communities to consider what more the Council can do to support them.” 

Calling for a reversal of the Government’s decision and urging the Secretary of State to visit Northumberland to meet with him and farmers, Cllr Sanderson added: “You can see for yourself how farming families produce high-quality food for the nation.  This would also give you a better feel for how changes to IHT are impacting rural communities now.”