The Farmers Mart Summer 2017 - Issue 51 | Page 4

From The Editor
As this issue of Farmers Mart went to press, the whole country was reeling from the outcome of the snap General Election which resulted not in a bigger majority for the government as was the PM’ s intention, but the opposite- a hung parliament, a disastrous personal result for Mrs May and for the country, which is now in more chaos than before.
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IN THE QUEEN’ S SPEECH and following the election result, Theresa May had no choice but to drop some of her controversial policies which evidently lost her so many votes – downgrading Triple Lock pensions,“ dementia tax”, winter fuel payments, free school meals for 5-7 year olds, grammar schools, fox hunting.
Manifesto pledges faded beneath her efforts to bodge together policies supported by the Democratic Unionist Party( DUP)- despite the Northern Irish party’ s warning that“ it can’ t be taken for granted.”
Mrs May used the Queen’ s Speech to outline multiple bills on the UK’ s exit from the European Union. Legislation on trade, agriculture and immigration previously handled by the EU needs to be written into British law, meaning that Brexit will dominate the next two years of Parliament.
Prior to the Election, the Agricultural Industries Confederation( AIC) published a document outlining what the UK agrisupply industry looked to the next Government to deliver. The key three points
are: a Brexit outcome that recognises the strategic importance of UK agriculture; supports a growth agenda, laying the foundation for a competitive, commercial and business sector; and recognition of the potential damage that a‘ no deal’ outcome on Brexit negotiations would deliver to UK agribusiness.
AIC urged the Government to work constructively with EU partners; recognise the strategic importance of timely, accurate data on trade flows; as well as focusing on a practical and workable
solution to replace the customs union.
All sound commonsense for Britain’ s farmers who for so long have faced anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
The NFU said it is seeking early meeting with Ministers and says it will push for the right post-Brexit trade deal, regulatory framework, a domestic agricultural policy suitable for Britain and access to a competent, reliable workforce.
Strong, stable and secure? In the current climate, Britain is anything but.

Farmers Hopeful Ahead of Brexit Process

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LINCOLNSHIRE’ S FARMING COMMUNITY was told to‘ make hay while the sun shines’ at two recent farming updates staged by Brown & Co and Duncan & Toplis.
Audiences in Greetham and Woodhall Spa heard from speakers who gave advice on what farmers could do in preparation for Britain exiting the European Union under the banner‘ Planning Ahead’.
Keynote speaker Sir Peter Kendall, former NFU Chairman and current Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board( AHDB) said that while 2016’ s upheaval in politics has been unprecedented, not much has actually changed and won’ t start being discussed properly until 2020. While he highlighted international trade, agricultural policy, migrant labour and regulations as causes for concern, he suggested farming remained integral in politicians’ minds.
Sir Peter said:“ Agriculture is always the last thing to be decided upon as it is so important. In the meantime, there is what we could term as a‘ honeymoon’ period and there are plenty of opportunities to be had before some guaranteed payments from the EU end in 2020. There’ s time to take advantage and grow while the market remains open and free.
“ However, it is still important to look ahead, into automation and robotics and other ways to improve business. The rise in population and a growing middle class are great opportunities for the sector – the middle class in particular have more disposable income and have specialist and more demanding tastes.”
Benjamin Bodart, co-founder of CRM AgriCommodities, gave the audience his analysis of the wheat market in the UK compared to the rest of the world. The weak currency has meant a hike in prices since summer 2016. Benjamin suggested there needs to be a major event such as drought or environmental shifts, for prices to remain high.
Delegate and farmer Jon Caswell from Heckington said:“ Today’ s been really refreshing as the speakers seemed positive even though the opinions in the room were mixed. I liked what Peter had to say and I agree that we need to perhaps have a change of mindset when it comes to our own businesses.”
Matt Herd, a tax specialist from Duncan & Toplis, spoke on inheritance tax planning, highlighting new rules that come into effect concerning farmhouses and the nil rate band that applies to inheritance tax. From April 2017, the main residence of a farm is considered on top of this band, which could have implications for those thinking about succession.
4 Summer 2017 www. farmers-mart. co. uk