British farming has been in the news a lot recently. There are concerns over the state of the industry and the possible impact on future food security and the state of the UK's landscape - much of which is in the stewardship of farmers - whether working as tenant farmers or otherwise. Farmers were viewed as essential workers during the pandemic, but they have since been treated less positively by government, who don't seem to appreciate the problems we are creating for ourselves because of decisions made now. The recent suggestions of 20% tariffs on imports into the USA will produce further issues for the economy... if only there was a huge trading bloc a few miles away from us that we could be a member of...
We import quite a lot of food into the UK, but are by no means self sufficient.
Farmers have faced a series of challenges with the weather in recent years as well, with waterlogged fields, and long periods of high temperatures adding further unpredictability to what is already a job which relies on external factors being favourable.
The latest issue is a surprise change in farming inheritance tax, and also additional costs which will be brought in due to a climate change levy on certain fertilisers.
You can sign a petition about the proposed new tax on this link.
These will all increase the price of food, which is already beyond the means of the thousands who rely on food banks such as the one we support at school.
Many farmers are planning to attend a mass lobby on the 19th of November down in London.
Image: Alan Parkinson, shared on Flickr under CC license
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