Outgoing farm union president says tax plans are ‘based on inaccurate data’
The UK government’s controversial inheritance tax plans – which have prompted nationwide protests by farmers, including a tractor rally at John O’Groats – are “based on outdated and inaccurate data”, according to the outgoing president of NFU Scotland.
Martin Kennedy criticised a range of budget measures announced in October when he gave his final address as president at the union’s conference in Glasgow.
Mr Kennedy, who farms in Highland Perthshire, stressed the need for consultation to ensure the taxation proposals do not disproportionately affect family farm businesses. He called on the Treasury to engage in meaningful discussions with farming unions.
Rallies were organised across Scotland by NFU Scotland at the start of this month, sending out a message to “Stop the Family Farm Tax”.
More than 50 tractors descended on John O’Groats on Sunday, February 2, with an estimated 150 members of the agricultural community attending to express their concerns over what they see as a threat to the viability of family farms.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the measures will only impact large landowners but farming unions have disputed this.
Mr Kennedy said: “We need the Treasury to come to the table. Its current proposals are based on outdated and inaccurate data and are hitting family farm businesses hard. This must change.”
Mr Kennedy’s successor as president of NFU Scotland is Andrew Connon, who farms near Ellon in Aberdeenshire.
Meanwhile, John Swinney has confirmed that farmers and crofters will benefit from £20 million additional capital support this year and £26 million next year.
Speaking at the NFU Scotland conference, Scotland’s First Minister outlined how at least £14 million of the funding will deliver a Future Farming Investment Scheme, providing flexible capital grants.
