At its full Council meeting on Wednesday evening, Buckinghamshire Council voiced strong opposition to the recently introduced 'Family Farm Tax' by the government, citing significant concerns over its potential impact on family farms and rural communities.

Councillor Phil Gomm stated: “The new tax will make it exceedingly difficult for farmers to pass on their farms to the next generation, thereby threatening food security and the viability of rural communities.

Buckinghamshire contains many farming communities and numerous family farms. They face the devastating impact from this new ‘Tax.’ At a time when farmers in Buckinghamshire are struggling with soaring costs and energy prices, this sudden and unexpected tax rise will damage the future of their farms and negatively impact on wider local communities and environmental sustainability.

Farmers in Buckinghamshire are already grappling with reduced subsidies, adverse trading relations, and rising costs. We believe that the new tax will exacerbate these issues, making it even harder for farmers to sustain their operations.”

In response to the tax, the council plans to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to express their dismay and request a reversal of the policy.

Cllr Thomas Broom added: "Buckinghamshire Council remains committed to supporting our farming communities and championing our rural economy. The future of family farms is at stake and with it the enormous work our farmers do to protect and enhance our natural environment. The beauty of Buckinghamshire, the reason so many of us choose to make it our home, is at risk. Once these farm landscapes are split up and sold off we will never get them back, and Bucks will be forever scarred by this mindless, pointless vandalism. We call upon all Buckinghamshire MPs to proactively oppose the Government’s 'Family Farmers’ Tax and support their constituents, all of whom will bear the burden of this policy."

ENDS…/