23/11/2024
All we want to do is feed you.
On Tuesday, I alongside thousands of other farmers I went to London to protest changes to tax policy that impacts family farming and our ability to do what we love, making high quality British produce to feed British families.
While the news on the day was divisive pitching farmers against working people and crumbling public services (farmers are working people who want to see good public services by the way). The most important issue for me, is farming’s ability to feed you.
Farmers travelled to London from every corner of the nation to show just that by donating produce to City Harvest - a London based food charity. On Tuesday, 6.6 tonnes of produce was donated, enough food for over 15,000 meals. I donated 3kg of my burgers and I’m proud that they’ll be feeding families in London.
Feeding the nation relies on passion. Working 365 days a year, no holiday pay, no bank holidays, often long hours outdoors in all weathers and in more cases than not - earning less than minimum wage, on paper isn’t a career you’d choose, it’s a vocation. And yet, thousands of people choose this way of life to honour generations who have farmed the land before them and simply because they love it. I do.
I dont want to debate the ins and the outs of the policy on my page, this is where I want to share with you the positive stories and impact that regenerative beef farming can have. And I can see why some people agree with the changes.
The reality is, yes some people do hide their wealth in farms, and yes they should pay inheritance tax. But as it stands the changes will also affect many family farms. I think there could be a more precise way the Government can tax those estates while protecting honest, hardworking family farms.
All farmers are asking for is the ability to pass down the tools needed to produce the food the nation needs, 3 times a day, everyday. The continuation of a social contract that has existed for years in recognition of the hard work needed to put low cost, high quality, food on the nation’s tables.
I’m very worried that these changes risk the future of family farming and our ability to feed a nation. But I am determined to continue doing what I love, which is producing environmentally sustainable, grass-fed beef to feed you.
