Potential Food Shortages are the real issues why Inheritance Tax on Agricultural Land is Barmy

This week has seen the farmers protests in London and whilst this activity from my brethren is admirable, I believe that it has really failed to meet the real reason why the Labour Governments new inheritance tax laws are so barmy.

If I am honest the General Public aren’t interested in watching kids driving plastic tractors down the streets of London and in fact all the General Public can see is supposed rich farmers trying to get out of paying tax, which is needed to run the UK PLC.

So I am going to put this the way that the argument needs to be put across:

The labour Government have single handily put UK food security at risk and the UK General Public are oblivious to the risks that we face in the food supply chain.

Food will always be on the supermarket shelves right – the government strategy is to leave food security to the Supermarkets to procure our food cheaply globally. With the Supermarkets the cheapest price to supply them wins, to ensure that they deliver high profits to support their stock market value.

From the UK Government's prospective the UK doesn’t need UK agriculture and it is more intent on making the countryside it into a nationwide country park, for the sake of “social value”.

In 2019 a well known firm of land agents published a report saying that there are 17.6m hectares (ha) of land in Agricultural use in the UK but by 2050 that figure will have drastically dropped by 7.6m ha to 10m ha in food production due to the expansion of urban areas by 4.09m ha due to house building and the increase in the areas planted with trees 3.51m ha. Those numbers are incredible and are probably already out of date.

The Office for National Statistics has updated its national population projections for the UK, lifting its expectations for 2025 by one million to just under 70 million people living in the UK and for 2050 by?four million to 78 million. This means there is going to be an increase in food requirements in the UK in the next 25 years.

In 2021 DEFRA estimated that the UK produced circa 60% of its food requirements with this number coming under extreme pressure due to decrease in the available land for farming by 7.6m ha and the increase in population by 8m people living in the UK, as well as changes in weather patterns in the UK due to Global Warming making consistent food production increasingly risky.

But it is OK if we leave it to the Supermarkets we can import this food to make up the short fall right?

The key issues globally in food production are:

·?????? Population explosion Globally from 7.7 Billion (Bn) people to 9.7Bn people by 2050. This increase will mainly take place in sub-Saharan areas of Africa which will increase by 1BN people during this period.

·?????? The UN FAO Forum projected in 2009 that there needs to be a 70% increase in food production by 2050 to meet the needs of the increases in population.

·?????? Increased demand globally for Fresh Water coupled with increased fresh water shortages with 30% of the ground water supplies globally in distress, 1.8Bn people currently in water scarcity for 3 or more months and 4Bn people experiencing water shortages for up to a month Globally per annum.

So we cannot rely on Global food supply chains to sustain UK food security due to these changes either.

In the wider context, Food security in the UK is a critical issue due to its impact on public health, economic stability, and national resilience. Here’s why it is extremely important:

1.?Health and Well-being

• Access to Nutritious Food: Food security ensures that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. Poor food security can lead to malnutrition, obesity, and related health issues.
• Preventing Hunger: In a developed nation like the UK, it is vital to address hunger and ensure everyone has access to basic food needs, particularly for vulnerable populations.

2.?Economic Stability

• Affordability: Food insecurity can lead to economic strain on families and communities. Ensuring food security helps stabilize household budgets and supports productivity.
• Agricultural Industry: The UK's agriculture and food supply chains are significant contributors to the economy. Supporting food security protects jobs in farming, food production, and distribution.

3.?National Resilience

• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The UK imports a substantial portion of its food. Disruptions in global supply chains due to geopolitical issues, climate change, or pandemics highlight the need for a secure domestic food supply.
• Emergency Preparedness: Food security is essential during crises such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or conflicts. A robust food system enhances the nation’s ability to respond effectively.

4.?Social Equity

• Reducing Inequalities: Food insecurity disproportionately affects low-income households. Addressing it promotes social equality and reduces disparities in health and opportunity.
• Community Stability: Ensuring access to food helps prevent social unrest and supports cohesive, stable communities.

5.?Environmental Sustainability

• Sustainable Practices: Food security involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing waste, and protecting biodiversity. This ensures long-term availability of resources.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Building resilient food systems is vital as climate change poses increasing risks to crop yields and supply chains.

6.?Global Responsibility

• International Collaboration: The UK’s food security is tied to global food systems. By prioritizing food security, the UK can contribute to global efforts to combat hunger and ensure fair trade.

Addressing food security in the UK is not just a matter of preventing hunger—it is a strategic priority that supports health, economic growth, social stability, and environmental resilience.

These are the points that EVERYONE seems to be missing at the moment about changes in Inheritance Tax changes to Agricultural Land as it is yet another nail in the coffin of Food Security, with this going on until we get to the point where there is a shortage of food on the Supermarket shelves! Then what?