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 used to be taking note of the trade’s considerations.

Mark Approach, who grows vegetation close to King’s Lynn, faced Daniel Zeichner after he gave a speech on the Norfolk Farming Convention previous on Tuesday.

Zeichner had instructed the convention that the reform used to be a part of a “tough set of choices” via the federal government.

Mr Approach stated he felt the minister had simplest equipped “platitude after platitude”.

Beneath the federal government plans introduced in final October’s finances, a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural property price greater than £1m might be offered, even if the edge for some farmers to pay might be £3m.

Mr Approach, who used to be named farmer of the yr via Farmers Weekly in 2024, stated he was hoping to go on his trade at Terrington St Clement to certainly one of his two sons.

However the 55-year-old stated there used to be “no longer a large number of incentive” to take a position if “20% might be taken away if we do not go it thru a consider”.

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 used to be taking motion to forestall the unfold of sicknesses like chook flu and bluetongue.

Zeichner is minister for meals safety and rural affairs.

The packed target market on the Royal Norfolk Showground close to Norwich courteously applauded him, however he used to be wondered over the arguable plans for inheritance tax.

He instructed them the “chancellor had an excessively tough set of choices to make,”

“The United Kingdom economic system used to be no longer in a excellent position after we got here into govt,” he defined.

“I used to be stunned via what I discovered within the division I inherited.”

Mr Approach, who spoke to Zeichner after he left the degree, stated he used to be no longer satisfied farmers have been being listened to.

“Its platitude and platitude from the minister – ‘we are going to make stronger the borders, kind out an even value for you from the supermarkets’,” he stated, chatting with the BBC after the war of words.

“The ones are all issues they believe are tune to the ears of a farmer, however are they if truth be told going to do any of it?”

He added that while he had no longer taken section within the most up-to-date tractor demonstration at Westminster, he did up to now and used to be now interested by going to the following one.

“It is actually stressed me as much as cross once more to London.”