100 MPs & Industry Groups to Oppose Budget Changes

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has joined forces with Conservative MP Harriet Cross and over 100 MPs, Lords, and industry groups to oppose recent changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) announced in last week’s budget.

In a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Ms Cross urges her to reconsider the changes which are set to take effect on 6 April 2026 and will introduce a £1 million threshold for APR and BPR.

The letter outlines how even modest family farms will face heavy tax burdens under the proposed changes, threatening the viability of many commercially viable family-owned farms.

While the government states that the changes will only affect the wealthiest estates, the letter highlights that the government’s analysis relies on historical data that includes smaller holdings rather than accurately reflecting commercial family farms.

This could mean that family-run farms, integral to UK food production and rural communities, would be among those hardest hit.

RABDF Chairman Robert Craig expressed concern over the changes, saying: “The proposed APR and BPR changes are not measures targeted at wealthy tax avoiders; they are measures that will significantly affect genuine family farming businesses across the country.

“Many families may be forced to sell parts of their working farm to cover the tax bill, fragmenting long-standing family businesses and placing more agricultural land in the hands of large corporations.

“At a time when food security couldn’t be more important, the government has introduced these changes that could have devastating impacts and potentially threaten our food security,” said Mr Craig.

The joint letter reinforces the importance of family farms to rural economies and the nation’s food supply and calls on the Chancellor to urgently reconsider the tax reforms before they come into effect.

Read the letter in full here https://x.com/HarrietCross_MP/status/1854186001641488435/photo/1 .

All farmers can also show their support by signing the NFU pledge to overturn the family farm tax. Find out more https://www.campaigns.nfuonline.com/page/160300/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=NFUOnlineArticle