The Farmers Guardian's Save Britain's Family Farms campaign session aimed to highlight the struggles the industry faces as it heads in 2026, despite recent changes to Inheritance Tax, and featured many well-known and high profile figures from across politics and agriculture.听
Conservative Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins spoke of the fight that farming still has on its hands.听
听She said: "We will carry on this fight for you, to make sure Labour understand the impact around [policies] that make life difficult.听
"We understand the damage."
Simon Weaving, director of sales at Weaving Machinery, spoke of the turbulence over the last 12 months.听
He said the business has had a good five years, but currently it is as though someone has 'turned off a light switch'.
And in terms of the impact of Government policy such as Inheritance Tax, he said the ripple effect it will have could be devastating on ancillary industries - as a business, he said, he wants to continue being able to utilise British manufacturers.
He continued: "I know how tough it is for farmers. We have stood strong over the last 12 months. Keep fighting, it will change."
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NFU听
David Exwood, current NFU deputy president, said going forwards communication is going to be important, and to not underestimate the power of telling farming's story.听
"We are going to get confidence back in the industry," he said.听
"Despite the challenges, we have to have that positive story, drive enthusiasm, deal with the changes and move the conversation on."
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Farming's voice
Olly Harrison, the arable farmer who has lead many of the IHT protests and discussions since 2024, agreed that we must showcase farming to the wider public, but to remember that the changes made to IHT at Christmas were down to the grit and determination of the industry.听
"A picture tells a thousand words but a video tells a million - the Government only listened because [farmers] educated the public," he said.
Yorkshire sheep farmer Rebecca Wilson urged farmers not to 'hide' as it becomes a case of smoke and mirrors.
She said: "If we hide, we give the public a reason to let their minds run away with them.听
"Everyone has the capacity to start a conversation and there is no better time than now."
