Column: Cefin Campbell

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Winter Show in Llanelwedd. As always, it wasa really great celebration of rural life and our fantastic seasonal produce. I was particularlypleased to have a chance to meet with a huge range of local producers and retailers in thefood hall, and I was struck by the quality of the food and drink that we make and sell in Midand West Wales.The mood in key meetings with the farming unions were also broadly positive, and Iwelcome that many of Plaid Cymru’s demands on reform of the Sustainable FarmingScheme have now been met, following an intensive period of consultation with stakeholdersacross the sector.But readers won't be surprised to learn that a number of concerns remain within agriculturalsector regarding the recent changes to inheritance tax by the Labour Government inWestminster.It is clear to me that the Treasury has not done their homework on the changes that arebeing recommended.According to an analysis by tax expert, Dan Neidle, the proposals do not go far enough interms of targeting millionaires who buy land in order to avoid paying tax. But on the otherhand they go too far in punishing real farmers – that is, the people who make a living fromthe land and look after it – and put them at a disadvantage in comparison.I'm worried that the effect of Rachel Reeves' Budget will be particularly bad for Welshfarmers, particularly considering that the average salary for upland farmers in Wales is only£18,600. How in the world is it possible for the next generation to pay inheritance tax onsuch a low salary?It worries me, in particular, that a specific impact assessment for Wales has not yet beencarried out on this either by the UK Government or by the Welsh Government.I have called on both Labour Governments – which, let’s remember, we have been promisedwill work together for the benefit of Wales – to undertake such an assessment with urgency,and to undertake the necessary actions to protect the future of our family farms.

Mid and West Wales Senedd Member, Cefin Campbell