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Home Business NewsFarming minister reveals he ‘needs an escort’ visiting the countryside

Farming minister reveals he ‘needs an escort’ visiting the countryside

21st May 25 12:27 pm

A farming minister has revealed that he sometimes “needs an escort” when visiting the countryside as farmers are furious with Labour over the inheritance tax changes made by the government.

On Tuesday Daniel Zeichner told the Future Countryside conference that on occasion he has needed security meeting farmers at protests.

He told the conference, “I hope you’ll all agree with me I don’t run away from engaging with the sector. I love going out and meeting people, seeing people.

“On occasion I now need an escort but by and large, I think the only way to re-build trust is by having an open and sensible dialogue.”

From April next year farms that have assets over £1 million will be taxed at a rate of 20%.

A source for the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs said: “We have always engaged with farmers and never shied away from difficult conversations. This will continue as long as we are in government.”

Earlier this month, Labour MP Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was told to resign as the Chancellor’s “family farm tax” has seen “several more farmers” commit suicide.

Reed’s opposite Victoria Atkins announced in the House of Commons there has been more suicides as a direct result of the farmer’s inheritance tax that Rachel Reeves announced at the Autumn Budget in October 2024.

The top Tory MP and Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary has called on Reed to resign from the Cabinet.

Atkins warned Labour that rural communities are now feeling the reality of the Chancellor’s “tractor tax.”

Atkins furiously said in the Commons, “Before Christmas, I warned the Secretary of State that a farmer had taken their own life because they were so worried about the family farms tax.

“He responded with anger and later stopped the Farming Resilience Fund which helped farmers with mental ill-health.

“This week I have received the devastating news that several more farmers have taken their own lives because of the family farm tax.

“This is the Secretary of State’s legacy. But he can change it, because it is not yet law.”

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