In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on the farming unions' meeting with Treasury to discuss the family farm tax, where farming leaders felt the door had been 'slammed in their faces' once again. Unions now say their focus is on getting more Labour backbench MPs including those in the inner cities to pressurise the Government ahead of the Finance Bill in Autumn. And in other news, the UK's borders have been called into question once again after 600kg of illegal meat was seized in Northern Ireland, and growers are being urged to be extra vigilant amid warnings that organised crime gangs are targeting rural properties
All four UK farming unions and member organisations from across the sector are due to meet with Treasury officials on February 18 to discuss the Government's proposed changes to Inheritance Tax
Prior to the Budget, the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø' Union of Wales previously warned a worse case scenario of full ‘Barnettisation' of Wales' agricultural funding could equate to a ‘drop of around 40% in funding for Welsh farming - a cut of around £150m a year'
The Prime Minister is understood to have no intention of attending the conference, with Defra Secretary Steve Reed expected to speak
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said you cannot give a 'tax break' for farmers if you want to drive down NHS waiting lists and mortgage rates
In today's Farming In Five, head of news and business Alex Black talks about Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's comments that the UK can have a 'tax break' for farmers or bring down NHS waiting lists. The comments caused anger across the industry. It comes ahead of meetings between farming organisations and HM Treasury next week. And in Mind Your Head Week, farmers have been urged to take a break during a busy spring schedule for their mental health.
This week from Rachael Brown, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian chief reporter
Keir Starmer refused to apologise for the remarks made the Farming Minister, Daniel Zeichner, earlier this week that the agricultural industry was not high in the Government's 'pecking order'
Chief executive says while farmers realise there will be no U-turn, steps can be taken to minimise damage
Organisers say 'Change Your Tune Starmer' as MPs prepare to discuss Inheritance Tax once again