Warning farms could be lost to tax changes

Tim Gelfs is the county chair of Dorset NFU

Changes to inheritance tax for farmers could lead to the loss of farms, a Dorset farmer has warned.

The government says the reforms will make inheritance tax fairer with only the wealthiest 500 estates paying more each year.

During a day of activities to show solidarity across the farming community on Saturday, Dorset NFU's Tim Gelfs spoke against the proposals at a demonstration in Bournemouth.

"If it goes through as it is, we will lose farms," he said, after environment secretary Steve Reed said that "three quarters of farmers, will pay nothing as a result of the changes".

Farmers have gathered in streets across the country as part of a national day of unity against the plans announced in the autumn budget in October.

Standing in front of a tractor and trailer carrying sheep and chickens in Bournemouth Square, Mr Gelfs said public support for British farming had been "absolutely unbelievable".

Farmers have gathered in streets across the country as part of a national day of unity

Those who demonstrated in the seaside town proudly displayed some messages of support pinned to a whiteboard.

"At the moment it's unsustainable what the government are asking for," Mr Gelfs said.

He said farmers are looking for the government to talk to them so that they can "look for a way forward".

Messages of support for farmers were pinned to a board in Bournemouth

Agricultural property relief is a type of inheritance tax relief which reduces the amount of tax that farmers and landowners pay when farmland is passed to the next generation.

Under the government's plans, from April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, will be subject to inheritance tax at 20%.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has estimated that the tax change, "could harm" 70,000 UK farms.

Mr Gelfs said he believes the only way a farmer will be able to pay this inheritance tax bill will be to sell some of their land.

He said a better solution would be "no inheritance tax for farmers" and more investment in the rural community.

He added that the UK's food security could be affected by the changes.

"If there's no farms there's no food, simple as that," he said.