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