'I'm the son of a farmer and many of us feel like 'castrated bulls' after Labour’s betrayal'

Labour’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief hits farmers at a time when they're already stretched to breaking point.

Treasury officials may imagine that only those large land owners, who seek to circumvent paying tax by purchasing swathes of land, may feel the effects.

However, the stark reality of this policy change is very different – it is a tax on the family farm.

For many family-run businesses, already dealing with soaring costs and policy upheavals, this tax shift threatens their very survival.

Farms aren’t just assets—they’re legacies. And under the new tax rules, many will be forced to break up or sell, a blow that could unravel the agricultural backbone of our rural communities.

“Losing a farm is not like losing any other business,” said the then Leader of the Opposition, now Prime Minister, during his campaign. But one must wonder: did he really mean it?

Similarly, the new DEFRA Secretary, Steve Reed, stated confidently—while still only a Shadow —that Labour had “no intention of changing APR.” And again, we have to ask: was that just electioneering?

Even the Labour candidate-turned-MP in Pembrokeshire, my own home county, which is so deeply reliant on agriculture, stood in front of farmers during a husting, looked them in the eye and assured them that APR would not be touched.

Yet here we are, just months after the election, and the promises have crumbled as Labour has already reneged on their commitments.

Labour said whatever was necessary to win votes from hardworking farmers, yet their promises have turned out to be empty. It’s a deep betrayal of the agricultural communities that underpin our rural economy.

Growing up on a farm, I’ve seen firsthand my father’s hard work — out before dawn and home long after sunset.

Because of that, I don’t profess to ever claim that I am a farmer, but I wear the badge of “farmer’s son” with pride.

It was with that same pride that, earlier this year, I spoke at the ‘No Farmers No food’ protest outside the Welsh Parliament as thousands of farmers made their voices heard against Welsh Labour’s farming policies.

With this budget announcement, I fear that this earlier protest was merely a warm-up for the main event we’ll see on November 19th.

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Farming is Wales’ silver thread, woven tightly into our culture, our language, and our landscapes—a cornerstone not only of our economy but of who we are. This is true across the UK, yet Labour’s recent decisions are making life tougher for farming families who work tirelessly to keep this industry alive.

What does a strong farming industry bring? It helps keep young people in rural communities—places where pubs, schools, and shops depend on a thriving agricultural base to keep the lights on.

Let’s not forget: farming also feeds the nation.

From our beloved dairy and red meat to home-grown grains, British agriculture delivers food that’s unmatched in quality, traceability, and sustainability.

At a time when food security should sit alongside national and energy security, any Labour policy that puts this at risk should be immediately shut down. A successful farming industry keeps our communities thriving, connected, and well-fed.

As my brother and I left the farm gate to get to work, I told him of the time that a Labour Senedd Member once told the Welsh Parliament, when discussing the devastating impact of Bovine TB, that dairy farmers should “find another business.”

Perhaps, after the damage inflicted by their budget, Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves might consider taking that advice themselves, because farming can’t afford any more of Labour’s broken promises and policy failures.