Politics

Adam Dance: Bluetongue outbreak hurting Somerset farmers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled a £65 million funding package for farmers while on a visit to Cornwall

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled a £65 million funding package for farmers while on a visit to Cornwall

Andy Burnham unveils £65 million package for farmers while on visit to Cornwall

The CPRE says rural parts of Devon, including Dartmoor, will be affected by the changes

The CPRE says rural parts of Devon, including Dartmoor, will be affected by the changes

Rural Devon 'left to pick up the bill' under council shake-up, warns CPRE

Tolpuddle Trade Union Rally at Tolpuddle.

Tolpuddle Trade Union Rally at Tolpuddle.

Thousands descend on Martyrs' village for procession, music and political debate

Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister on July 20

Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister on July 20

Burnham's choice

Rural leaders present blueprint ahead of Burnham entering Downing Street

South West MPs demand action as pig farmers face mounting financial losses

East Devon MP raises concerns about sewage infrastructure

Stephen Morgan has been appointed minister of state for food security and rural affairs

Stephen Morgan has been appointed minister of state for food security and rural affairs

Government reshuffle

Morgan takes farming brief despite lacking agricultural background

A six-month inquiry into Cornwall Council’s farms estate has found that it would be “unwise” to sell off the entire estate of around 80 farms to help reduce its almost £1.4 billion debt.

A six-month inquiry into Cornwall Council’s farms estate has found that it would be “unwise” to sell off the entire estate of around 80 farms to help reduce its almost £1.4 billion debt.

Cornwall Council

Cornwall Council has to get rid of dairy farms and other farm buildings

Richard Foord MP with President of the NFU Tom Bradshaw at the Devon County Show.

Richard Foord MP with President of the NFU Tom Bradshaw at the Devon County Show.

Fuel duty cut described as 'start to reducing pressure on farm businesses'

Ms Dyke's has written to Dame Angela Eagle calling for swift action on misleading meat product labelling

Ms Dyke's has written to Dame Angela Eagle calling for swift action on misleading meat product labelling

Somerset MP calls for honesty over supermarket meat products

Farmers For Action has delayed fixing a protest date as it chases meetings with the EFRA Committee on a Farm Welfare Bill

Farmers For Action has delayed fixing a protest date as it chases meetings with the EFRA Committee on a Farm Welfare Bill

Farmers pause protest as cash squeeze fuels push for law

There is mounting concern over the increase price of fuel, fertiliser and energy

There is mounting concern over the increase price of fuel, fertiliser and energy

Farmers urged to report spiralling costs amid anger over red diesel hikes

New agreements with the EU is hoped to improve trade

New agreements with the EU is hoped to improve trade

UK-EU trade deal could cut red tape and boost farming exports by £4bn

Ms Dyke said the reforms threaten rural communities and long-term food security

Ms Dyke said the reforms threaten rural communities and long-term food security

Glastonbury MP warns of impact of inheritance tax changes on family farms

Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley (Image courtesy: Liberal Democrats) Cleared for use by LDRS partners

Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley (Image courtesy: Liberal Democrats) Cleared for use by LDRS partners

‘Axe the Tax’ call as Devon family farms face ruin

Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson

Clarkson's Farm

Jeremy Clarkson talks of preparing for death after recent health concerns

James Wright is worried about the impact on jobs and families

James Wright is worried about the impact on jobs and families

Fears for South West jobs as holiday tax row sparks backlash

Tessa Munt MP and Tim Farron MP.

Tessa Munt MP and Tim Farron MP.

Two MPs discuss farming issues in Somerset during farm visit

Countryside Alliance welcomes £53m heating oil support but urges more help for rural homes

Countryside Alliance welcomes £53m heating oil support but urges more help for rural homes

Heating support

Countryside Alliance

Countryside Alliance urges quick action on £53m heating oil support scheme

Countryside Alliance warned that soaring oil prices would disproportionately affect rural communities, where residents rely more heavily on private transport, heating oil and longer supply chains that can push food prices higher.

Countryside Alliance warned that soaring oil prices would disproportionately affect rural communities, where residents rely more heavily on private transport, heating oil and longer supply chains that can push food prices higher.

Countryside Alliance

Labour MPs call for urgent Rural Strategy to tackle ‘rural penalty’

Stop Lime Down campaigners at Westminster

Stop Lime Down campaigners at Westminster

Lime Down planning inquiry to get underway in April

Emma Reynolds, Defra secretary

Emma Reynolds, Defra secretary

Farmers react to revised Sustainable Farming Incentive

Around 45 million male layer chicks are culled annually in the UK because they do not lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production under current commercial systems

Around 45 million male layer chicks are culled annually in the UK because they do not lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production under current commercial systems

British Egg Industry Council

Egg industry leaders decline chick culling ban roundtable

Charlie Dewhirst MP

Charlie Dewhirst MP

New evidence supports case for UK farm policy reset

In a recent House of Commons speech, Ms Dyke blasted the government for pushing through trade deals that undermine UK agriculture and worsen the effects of Brexit on the economy, food supply chain, and welfare standards

In a recent House of Commons speech, Ms Dyke blasted the government for pushing through trade deals that undermine UK agriculture and worsen the effects of Brexit on the economy, food supply chain, and welfare standards

Liberal Democrats

'Shoddy' trade deals threaten British farming, claims Somerset MP

Richard Foord MP addresses Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament on flooding in his constituency (Image courtesy: BBC News).

Richard Foord MP addresses Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament on flooding in his constituency (Image courtesy: BBC News).

National government

'My part of Devon is submerged' - MP tells parliament while flooding rages

Baroness Minette Batters warns MPs of urgent action needed to protect farming profitability

Baroness Minette Batters warns MPs of urgent action needed to protect farming profitability

Two-Year Warning

Two-year warning on farm profits from Baroness Minette Batters

The Honiton and Sidmouth Conservatives have launched the new campaign focusing on farming and the environment.

The Honiton and Sidmouth Conservatives have launched the new campaign focusing on farming and the environment.

Honiton Conservatives launch campaign in support of farmers

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee examined inheritance tax reforms affecting pensions, farms and family businesses in the Draft Finance Bill 2025–26

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee examined inheritance tax reforms affecting pensions, farms and family businesses in the Draft Finance Bill 2025–26

IHT Reform Risks

Inheritance Tax

Lords reiterate inheritance tax reforms risk to family farms

Wiltshire Council new leaderIan Thorn, Liberal Democrats voted the new leader of Wiltshire Council on the steps of county HallImage Trevor Porter 78765 5

Wiltshire Council new leaderIan Thorn, Liberal Democrats voted the new leader of Wiltshire Council on the steps of county HallImage Trevor Porter 78765 5

Wiltshire demands fairer funding for rural communities

Somerset MPs react to farm inheritance tax U-turn

Somerset MPs react to farm inheritance tax U-turn

Inheritance Tax

Somerset MPs react to U-turn over family farm inheritance tax

Tractors drove around the central streets in Exeter in support of farmers in London.

Tractors drove around the central streets in Exeter in support of farmers in London.

Devon County Council

'Significant win': Farmers welcome change to tax rules

Tom Bradshaw, NFU president

Tom Bradshaw, NFU president

IHT relief threshold for farmers and businesses to increase to £2.5m from 2026

Image - Rachel Gilmour MP

Image - Rachel Gilmour MP

MP for Tiverton and Minehead elected as co-chair of APPG for Farming

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has backed her party’s recently announced food security plan

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has backed her party’s recently announced food security plan

Somerset MP backs new plan to inspire next generation of farmers

Mr Dance is supporting an initiative from the Liberal Democrats that includes introducing a new Farm First training scheme to inspire young people to step into agriculture

Mr Dance is supporting an initiative from the Liberal Democrats that includes introducing a new Farm First training scheme to inspire young people to step into agriculture

Adam Dance MP backs bolstering Britain's food security

Riverford's founder, Guy Singh-Watson brought the campaign to Westminster

Riverford's founder, Guy Singh-Watson brought the campaign to Westminster

Farmers urge government to create single food supply chain regulator

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker

Budget still leaves questions for sheep farmers, says NSA

East Farm in Lympsham, seen from the A370 Bridgwater Road - Image Google Maps

East Farm in Lympsham, seen from the A370 Bridgwater Road - Image Google Maps

Large farm near Weston-super-Mare to be sold off by Somerset Council

The UK farming unions have been engaged in protests since the IHT reform announcement at last years budget

The UK farming unions have been engaged in protests since the IHT reform announcement at last years budget

Budget Backlash

Unions warn Budget pushes rural sector toward crisis point

Rural Labour MPs abstained on the proposed farm inheritance tax, reducing the party's vote by 44, adding further pressure to Rachel Reeves

Rural Labour MPs abstained on the proposed farm inheritance tax, reducing the party's vote by 44, adding further pressure to Rachel Reeves

Inheritance Tax

Rural Labour MPs revolt over farmers’ inheritance tax plans

Tractors drove around the central streets in Exeter in support of farmers in London.

Tractors drove around the central streets in Exeter in support of farmers in London.

Devon farmers protest against inheritance tax in Exeter

Baroness Minette Batters, whose 57-recommendation report has yet to be published by the government

Baroness Minette Batters, whose 57-recommendation report has yet to be published by the government

Farmers at Risk

Inheritance Tax

Treasury accused of ‘burying’ Baroness Batters' Farming Review until after budget

Inheritance tax gaps risks leaving families exposed to financial shocks

Inheritance tax gaps risks leaving families exposed to financial shocks

Inheritance Tax

Farmers face turmoil as inheritance tax overhaul looms near

Protests are planned for Budget Day

Protests are planned for Budget Day

Stand for Farming

Inheritance Tax

Farmers to take tractors to London in budget day protest

Adam Dance column: We need to end the use of cages in farming

The Wilton Hunt, which rides out across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, during the National Trail Hunting Day.

The Wilton Hunt, which rides out across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, during the National Trail Hunting Day.

Opening of hunting season 'matters more than ever' as ban proposal looms

Ms Dyke raised concerns in the House of Commons about potential changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Ms Dyke raised concerns in the House of Commons about potential changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Somerset MP warns of 'devastating implications' of Family Farm Tax

‘Think again on farms’ Councillors Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County council’s cabinet member for rural affairs and Henry Gent, the chair of the farms estates committee

‘Think again on farms’ Councillors Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County council’s cabinet member for rural affairs and Henry Gent, the chair of the farms estates committee

Devon councillors call for urgent action to protect farming’s future

NBA chief executive Neil Shand

NBA chief executive Neil Shand

uncertain future

Inheritance Tax

‘Silent dismantling of family farms’: NBA warns over inheritance tax reforms

Government may raise IHT threshold for family farms

Government may raise IHT threshold for family farms

Inheritance Tax

Government may raise inheritance tax threshold for family farms

Protesters opposing the Parsonage Farm homes at the Watchet Town Council meeting

Protesters opposing the Parsonage Farm homes at the Watchet Town Council meeting

Liberal Democrats

Building further homes in Watchet will 'permanently destroy' local farms

Farmers are planning tractor go-slow protests nationwide in a Day of Unity demonstration over inheritance tax reforms

Farmers are planning tractor go-slow protests nationwide in a Day of Unity demonstration over inheritance tax reforms

Inheritance Tax

Farmers plan nationwide 'Day of Unity' protest over IHT proposal