Government has 鈥榖lown our trust鈥�
NFU Deputy President David Exwood told Somerset members that the NFU was working hard to get the changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief (APR and BPR) reversed.
Mr Exwood said the Labour government had 鈥渂lown the trust鈥� of the industry.
鈥淲e were lied to. They told us this was not going to happen and we believed them 鈥� we won鈥檛 believe them again.鈥�
He emphasised that engaging with politicians, which the NFU was uniquely placed to do, was the best way of influencing Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
鈥淭his is a bad policy, rushed in for the wrong reasons, that will be devastating for farmers,鈥� he added.
鈥淚t hits elderly farmers hard, it hits small family farmers. The people they say they are protecting are the people who will be hit hardest.鈥�
County chair Lindsey Isgar, who has reached the end of her term, was thanked for all her hard work, with Mark Humphry now taking over as chair.
The group secretary award went to John Herbert and Joel Hawkins of the North Somerset agency.
The importance of planning ahead
More than 60 members gathered at Harvey Browns on the Isle of Wight to hear from county chair Robyn Munt and county adviser Tom Peters.
The outcome of the Budget and plans for further lobbying of MPs were covered, and Esme Shakeshaft from accountants Moore South emphasised the importance of planning ahead to ensure any tax liabilities were minimised.
The Outram Trophy for services to farming on the island was given to Matt Legge. The Conservation Award was given posthumously to David Harvey and was presented to his wife Anna and Ken Hall.
Guest speaker was Matt Horne from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service.
Latest policy developments
At the Cornwall annual meeting a panel of speakers, including NFU head of member experience Amelia Stratton, regional policy manager Jacks Weaver and regional media adviser Charlotte Penketh-King updated members on the latest policy developments.
The group secretary award was won by Ian Maddever and Hannah Myatt of the Liskeard office and presented to Ian by outgoing county chair Bridget Whell.
Bridget was thanked for all she has done on behalf of the county, with Ashley Jones now becoming chair.
We must teach politicians
Vice President Rachel Hallos told Gloucestershire鈥檚 annual open meeting that educating politicians about the impact of the decisions they make was a crucial part of the NFU鈥檚 work, particularly in the light of the aftermath of the budget.
鈥淲e have to teach politicians about how the supply chain works, or they think it is just food,鈥� she said.
鈥淭his is a crucial part of the NFU鈥檚 work and they have to know we are not going to disappear overnight, we are in it for the long haul and we won鈥檛 go away.
Alf Bryant from Moreton-in-Marsh collected the Maddy Bell for best performing group office.
The Summers Trophy for making an outstanding contribution to agriculture in the county was presented to Terry and Sue Cook, custodians of Gloucester Farmers Club.
Proud of the industry
Devon鈥檚 winter conference heard an emotional speech from NFU Deputy President David Exwood as he reflected on the mass lobby event and the impact the announcements made in the Budget would have on farms.
鈥淚 have never been so proud of our industry,鈥� he told a packed meeting. 鈥淭he Met Police said it was one of the most peaceful demonstrations they had ever seen. We tidied up after ourselves and left Westminster cleaner than we found it. The courage was epic and the message was clear.
鈥淭he heart of food production in this country is family farms, and that is why it means so much,鈥� he said.
The meeting also heard from a panel including Oliver Lee of How Now Daries, Matt Cotton from Forest Fungi and Robin Jackson of Duchy College about their approaches to the future of the industry.
County chair Paul Glanvill handed over to David Chugg. Paul, who is now council delegate, was thanked for all his hard work during his time in office.
The Salter Shield for the best performing group office was presented to Sarah Potter and Reg Rew from Totnes.
The future of TB controls
In Dorset members heard from external affairs adviser Jen Cox about the background to the parliamentary debate which had taken place that afternoon and there was an update from environment and land use adviser Hattie Severinsen-George about work in Poole Harbour. This was followed by a lively panel discussion about the future of bovine TB controls.
The group secretary award went to Matt Uren and Pete Galloway of the Dorchester office.
Not a dependable business partner
In Berks, Bucks and Oxon David Exwood said that since coming to power, the Government had not behaved like a dependable business partner. He pointed out that commodity markets may have their distortions but, in comparison with politicians, they do at least deliver predictable returns.
The group secretary award was won by Mark Wheeler and Mark Ryder of the Aylesbury and Chilton office. They also won the award for best performing office in the South region.
In it for the long haul
Elsewhere, NFU President Tom Bradshaw spoke in Hampshire and all the officeholders emphasised that the NFU was in the fight against the family farm tax for the long haul, and politicians should not expect any let up.
122620,122621,122622,122623,122624,122625,122626,122627,122630,122629,122628,122632,122633,122634
Isle of Wight county chair Robyn Munt presents the Conservation Award
The Isle of Wight meeting
Matt Legge receives the Outram Award on the Isle of Wight
David Exwood speaks at the Somerset meeting
Presentation of the Somerset group secretary award
Ian Maddever accepts the Cornwall group secretary award
The presentation of the Devon group secretary award
The panel at the Devon meeting
Pete Gallowy aand Matt Uren receive the Dorset group secretary award
Wakely Cox and Dorset county adviser Gemma Harvey
The Dorset meeting hears from external afairs adviser Jennifer Cox
Alf Bryant receives the Gloucestershire group secretary award
Rachel Hallos speaks at the Glocestershire meeting
The Summers Trophy is presented to Sue and Terry Cook