A Nation's Backbone in the Balance ??
?Hi there,?
This week, over 20,000 voices converged in London, rallying for the future of our countryside and family farms. It's a stirring sight, seeing children on tractors, farmers marching peacefully, and a shared passion for preserving the heart of Britain's rural identity. Yet, the situation feels precarious, with many family farms hanging by a thread.
Inheritance tax reform is the spark, but the fire runs deeper. Family farms, often spanning generations, are not just businesses - they're lifelines to our food supply, stewards of our countryside, and keepers of tradition. While some reforms target land bought for tax benefits by non-farmers, it's clear that?hard?working family farms are caught in the crossfire. When faced with steep taxes that require selling off the land, what happens to the farms that feed us? Who buys the land? Corporations are driven by profit margins rather than soil health or community care.
The truth is that food is too cheap in this country. We waste too much and undervalue the effort it takes to produce what fills our plates. Farmers don’t aim to be asset-rich. They aim to feed a nation, often at razor-thin margins. But now, they face the threat of becoming collateral damage in a political game.
Like many of us, I have succumbed to a healthier way of life post-COVID. The nation's health starts with farmers, the unsung heroes who put food on our tables. Let's not bite the hand that feeds us. Instead, we should support better policies that protect our farmers while sensibly addressing land price inflation and tax loopholes.
As protests continue, we stand firmly with the UK's farmers, knowing that their fight is a fight for us all. It's about food security, preserving our countryside, and ensuring future generations understand what it means to care for the land. Let's hope policymakers take note before it's too late. For now, the sound of tractors rolling into the city speaks louder than words.
Here's to backing the backbone of Britain.?
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Bye for now,?
?
James?