Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has slammed Labour’s “family farm tax” announced in their Budget.
He says the changes announced by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves to agricultural property relief and business property relief will deliver a “devastating” blow to family farms in Perthshire and Fife.
The Conservatives have now launched a petition at stopthefarmtax.com urging Labour to U-turn and Mr Fraser has called on everyone to sign it to send Labour the strongest possible message.
He says Labour have “shamefully” broken their promise to farmers after now DEFRA secretary Steve Reed said last year that his party had no plans to change agricultural property relief. He says the changes sum up how Labour is “completely disconnected” from the real challenges facing farmers and those living in rural areas like Perthshire and Fife.
Mr Fraser added Labour have shown that they are not interested in standing up for farmers interests and have threatened future food production if they family farms are unable to be passed onto future generations.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “Labour’s family farm tax will be devastating for family farms in Perthshire and Fife.
“The changes introduced by the Chancellor show how disconnected Labour are from the sector and the needs of farmers in Perthshire and Fife who are already facing major challenges. Labour said last year that they were not planning any changes to agricultural property relief. Now they have shamefully broken their promise made to farmers.
“That is why the Conservatives have launched a petition urging Labour to U-turn. I encourage everyone in Perthshire and Fife to sign it to send Labour the strongest possible message.”
Mr Fraser added: “Labour is clearly not interested in supporting farmers in Perthshire and Fife, and those who simply want to pass down their family farm to the next generation.
“I will continue to stand up for farmers in Perthshire and Fife to force Labour into reversing this awful decision, which could spell the end for family farms.”
