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Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

The future of farming

Status: Open Opened: 6 Dec 2024 11 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

The agricultural sector is experiencing a period of significant change as it transitions away from a legacy direct payments regime towards nation-specific farming schemes. The future of farming inquiry will provide consistent scrutiny of the issues facing the sector as it transitions. It will focus on farmers, farming communities and the agricultural sector, and seek … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
1st Report - The Government’s vision for farming HC 906 16 May 2025 18 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
11 Recommendation 1st Report - The Government’s vision fo… Rejected

Ample time available for Government to consult on tax reform alternatives

Several alternatives to achieve the same goals, or mitigations to protect vulnerable farmers, have been proposed. We are not in a position to assess the merits of each and propose an alternative, but there is sufficient time between now and the 2026 Finance Bill for Government to consult on the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation for further consultation on alternative proposals, stating that the reforms to agricultural and business property relief will proceed from April 2026 as planned, and that sufficient engagement with stakeholders has already taken place.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
12 Recommendation 1st Report - The Government’s vision fo… Rejected

Stakeholder concerns hinder agricultural vision; pause in tax reforms advisable

Stakeholder concerns around the Budget’s taxation proposals have made it difficult for the Government to articulate and deliver its wider vision for agriculture. It has also strained the relationships with those who will be responsible for helping to deliver that vision. A pause in the implementation of taxation reforms would … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation to pause taxation reforms, affirming that the changes to agricultural and business property relief will take effect from April 2026 as planned, stating the approach and timescale are appropriate after listening to stakeholders.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
13 Recommendation 1st Report - The Government’s vision fo… Rejected

Delay final APR and BPR reforms until October 2026 for consultation and assessment

The Government should delay announcing its final APR and BPR reforms until October 2026, to come into effect in April 2027, to provide more time for farming businesses to conduct succession planning and seek appropriate professional advice. The Government should use this time to consult on its proposed changes, conduct … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejects delaying APR and BPR reforms, confirming they will take effect from April 2026 as announced in Autumn Budget 2024, citing the need to repair public finances and stating that its consultation and approach are appropriate.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
20 Jan 2026 The Baroness Batters DL View ↗
16 Dec 2025 Dame Angela Eagle MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Gareth Baynham-Hughes · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Mike Dowell · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Mike Rowe · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
1 Apr 2025 Colin Faulkner · Seafish, Daniel Zeichner MP · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Janet Hughes · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Mike Dowell · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
14 Jan 2025 Dame Tamara Finkelstein · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Jonathan Baker · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
11 Dec 2024 David Sturrock · Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Dr Arun Advani · Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax), Jeremy Moody · Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), Robert Martin · Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), Stuart Maggs · Howes Percival LLP, Tom Bradshaw · National Farmers' Union (NFU), Victoria Vyvyan · Country Land and Business Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

18 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Emily Miles · Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 3
Mike Dowell · Deputy Director for Marine and Fisheries Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 2
Colin Faulkner · Chief Executive Seafish 1
Dame Angela Eagle MP · Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Dame Tamara Finkelstein · Permanent Secretary Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Daniel Zeichner MP · Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 1
David Sturrock · Senior Research Economist Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) 1
Dr Arun Advani · Director Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax) 1
Gareth Baynham-Hughes · Director of Marine and Fisheries Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 1
Janet Hughes · Director of the Farming and Countryside Programme Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 1
Jeremy Moody · Secretary and Adviser Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) 1
Jonathan Baker · Deputy Director of Policy, Engagement and Strategy Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Mike Rowe · Director for Marine and Fisheries Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Robert Martin · National Chair Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) 1
Stuart Maggs · Partner Howes Percival LLP 1
The Baroness Batters DL — 1
Tom Bradshaw · President National Farmers' Union (NFU) 1
Victoria Vyvyan · President Country Land and Business Association 1

Correspondence

29 letters
DateDirectionTitle
3 Mar 2026 — Correspondence from National Sheep Association relating to seasonal workers vis…
3 Mar 2026 — Correspondence from British Wool relating to seasonal workers visas, dated 15 F…
3 Mar 2026 — Correspondence from the National Pig Association relating to skilled workers vi…
13 Feb 2026 — Correspondence to Lizzie Wilson, CEO, National Pig Association, on any implicat…
13 Feb 2026 — Correspondence to Phil Stoker, Chair National Sheep Association, on any implica…
13 Feb 2026 — Correspondence from Harry Bowell, Director of Land & Nature at National Trust, …
13 Feb 2026 — Correspondence to Andrew Hogley, Chief Executive, British Wool, on any implicat…
28 Jan 2026 — Correspondence from Wendy Chamberlain MP regarding the EFRA Committee holding a…
28 Jan 2026 — Correspondence from Mike Tapp MP, Minister for Migration & Citizenship, regardi…
28 Jan 2026 — Correspondence to the Minister for Food Security and Rural affairs following on…
6 Jan 2026 — Correspondence from the Secretary of State, Defra regarding the Farming Profita…
6 Jan 2026 — Correspondence from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of St…
9 Dec 2025 — Correspondence from Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of Trade, Dept for Business and …
25 Nov 2025 — Correspondence from the Chair of the Senedd's Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs …
18 Nov 2025 — Correspondence from Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee regarding their report…
21 Oct 2025 — Correspondence from NFU regarding the UK-US Trade Negotiations and the Dairy Se…
2 Sep 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs regarding …
24 Jun 2025 — Correspondence to the Minister for Nature regarding Land-Use Framework, dated 1…
18 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs regarding …
23 Apr 2025 — Correspondence to the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs following u…