Norfolk farmer confronts minister over inheritance tax

A farmer who challenged a minister over the inheritance tax adjustments stated he didn’t suppose the federal government was listening to the trade’s issues.

Mark Means, who grows crops close to King’s Lynn, confronted Daniel Zeichner after he gave a speech on the Norfolk Farming Convention earlier on Tuesday.

Zeichner had advised the convention that the reform was a part of a “tough set of selections” by the federal government.

Mr Means stated he felt the minister had solely supplied “platitude after platitude”.

Underneath the federal government plans introduced in final October’s funds, a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural property price greater than £1m might be launched, though the edge for some farmers to pay might be £3m.

Mr Means, who was named farmer of the yr by Farmers Weekly in 2024, stated he hoped to go on his enterprise at Terrington St Clement to one in every of his two sons.

However the 55-year-old stated there was “not quite a lot of incentive” to take a position if “20% might be taken away if we do not go it by way of a belief”.

Zeichner had given a speech to the convention the place he reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to getting farmers higher pay from supermarkets.

He additionally stated the federal government was taking motion to stop the unfold of illnesses like chook flu and bluetongue.

Zeichner is minister for meals safety and rural affairs.

The packed viewers on the Royal Norfolk Showground close to Norwich politely applauded him, however he was questioned over the controversial plans for inheritance tax.

“The UK economic system was not in a great place after we got here into authorities,” he advised the room.

“I used to be shocked by what I discovered within the division I inherited.”

Mr Means, who spoke to Zeichner after he left the stage, stated he was not satisfied farmers had been being listened to.

“Its platitude and platitude from the minister – ‘we will enhance the borders, type out a good value for you from the supermarkets’,” he stated, talking to the NUZTO after the confrontation.

“These are all issues they suppose are music to the ears of a farmer, however are they really going to do any of it?”

He added that while he had not taken half within the most up-to-date tractor demonstration at Westminster, he did beforehand and was now interested by going to the following one.

“It is actually wired me as much as go once more to London.”

A authorities spokeswoman stated it will make investments £5bn into farming over the following two years.

She reiterated that the brand new agricultural and enterprise property reliefs would imply farmers would pay a “decreased” inheritance tax charge of 20% slightly than the usual 40%.

Funds could possibly be unfold over 10 years curiosity free, the spokeswoman added.

“It is a honest and balanced strategy, which fixes the general public providers all of us depend on, affecting round 500 estates a yr,” she defined.