NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon joined fellow farming union Presidents on top of a combine harvester yesterday (4 March) to address an estimated crowd of 10,000 who had joined the Pancake Day rally to protest against the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax and the damage they would inflict on the majority of family farming businesses.
The event was organised by farmer Olly Harrison. Andrew was joined in London by fellow NFU Scotland Board Members John Kerr, Ayrshire Regional Chair; Jamie Wyllie, Pigs Committee Chair and Mark Donald, Chair of Forth and Clyde Region.
As well as addressing the 10,000 crowd alongside the other four union Presidents, NFU Scotland met up with Scottish Conservative MPs Harriet Cross and Andrew Bowie at the rally. It also held meetings with Scottish Labour MPs including Lillian Jones MP, Alan Gemmell MP, Joani Reid MP, Imogen Walker MP, Euan Stainbank MP, Chris Kane MP and Irene Campbell MP.
Since being elected in early February, Mr Connon has been in Westminster every week lobbying on this issue. Last week, NFUS met with Labour’s Richard Baker MP, SNP’s Seamus Logan MP, Conservative’s Harriet Cross MP, Wendy Chamberlain MP and Angus MacDonald MP from the Liberal Democrats and DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner MP.
This week, Mr Connon wrote personally via email to all Scottish Labour MPs highlighting the alternative proposal to UK Government taxation plans, supported by all UK farming unions, which would still generate the required revenue for the Treasury without negatively impacting the viability of family farms.
Next week, NFU Scotland’s new Presidential team – Andrew Connon and Vice Presidents Duncan Macalister and Robert Neill - are meeting with Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of Scottish Labour.
NFU Scotland is also seeking member support in engaging with their MPs. A new template letter for MPs on inheritance tax proposals has been circulated to members and they are encouraged to write to their local MP to underline the need for the UK Government to consider an alternative proposal for inheritance tax for farmers and engage effectively with our sector. The template letter is available here:
NFU Scotland | /budget-information.aspx
Speaking after the Pancake Day rally, Mr Connon said: “I thank Olly Harrison for giving me the opportunity to once again stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow UK farming Unions and address thousands of hard working farming families who took the time out from their daily job in a show of strength against UK Government taxation proposals.
“In each MP discussion we had today, and in my address to the rally, I reiterated our major fears around proposed changes to inheritance tax and urged the UK Government to re-evaluate its decision.
“This tax as it stands will be detrimental to family farms and rural businesses. UK Government must listen to our farmers and crofters and engage with farming unions on the alternative solutions that we have presented.”
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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006