Rural communities are in crisis! As more and more people leave the countryside, our rural way of life hangs in the balance. Local shops, our churches and sports clubs all rely on a thriving rural population. But it’s not just these organisations that are at risk—it’s the very heart of rural life. And at the centre of this storm? Our farmers.

Farmland is not just land—it’s a legacy, a symbol of grit, perseverance, and hope for the future. For generations, families have worked the soil, raised livestock, and created an unbreakable bond with the land. But that legacy is under threat. Today, more than ever, the survival of rural life is in jeopardy, and we must ask ourselves: will future generations get to live the same way?

The stark reality is that farming is an incredibly solitary and stressful profession. Ask any farmer, and they’ll tell you—mental health problems are rampant but largely underplayed. The isolation, constant pressure, and financial strain often go unseen, but they are real. The silent mental health crisis among our farmers must be acknowledged before it’s too late. I know there are many great organisations who work to support our farmers in this area and if any farmer is feeling alone and under pressure they should seek help.

These aren’t just workers—they’re people struggling to stay afloat in an increasingly hostile environment. And the government’s tax policies are making it worse.

The introduction of crushing taxes is the final straw for many farmers already facing mounting debt, falling prices, and supermarket monopolies squeezing them dry. The president of the National Farmers’ Union recently warned the government about the toll this is taking on the farming community. For elderly farmers worried about passing down the family farm, or young farmers wondering if it’s even worth it to take on more debt, the situation is dire. It’s a crisis that threatens to wipe out farming families for good.

As a former country solicitor, I know too well that farmers have not always had succession planning at the front of their agenda. They work long hours, often for little pay, clinging to the hope that they can pass down their farms to the next generation. But now, that hope is in danger. Why? Because policies designed in offices far removed from the realities of rural life are systematically dismantling the foundations of agriculture. Farmers deserve much better!

The weight of government regulations, the growing power of supermarkets, and now an unfair tax burden are pushing farmers to the edge. They’re working harder than ever, but for what? To lose their farms to bureaucratic red tape and oppressive tax hikes? We cannot stand idly by while farmers are driven out of business and out of their homes.

The Government MUST Act Now!

The solutions are simple. Scrap the tax. End the threat to farmers’ futures. But if the Treasury refuses, then raise the threshold—don’t penalize farmers who are actively working the land. We cannot allow policies that target the very people who feed this nation. Farmers are the backbone of our rural communities, and if we don’t protect them, we risk losing everything.

The Government tell us they want a reset with Europe. They would then do well to look to countries like Germany and the Republic of Ireland for guidance. These nations have found a way to protect farmers and their livelihoods by defining what an “active farmer” is and exempting them from unfair taxes.

The key is to differentiate between those who are truly farming and those who are simply buying up land for profit. It’s not just a question of fairness—it’s a matter of survival. If we don’t act now, we risk a future where the countryside is abandoned, and farming becomes a thing of the past.

Farmers are NOT the enemy.

The reality is that farmers are not asking for handouts—they just want a fair shot at making a living. They are hard-working, fair-minded people who have spent their lives building up the land. They deserve respect. They deserve support. They deserve a future. But if we don’t act now, that future will slip away.

The government must listen. The tax on farms cannot proceed as planned and other solutions must be found. We need action. The well-being of our farmers, the survival of our rural communities, and the future of the countryside are all on the line. If we fail to act, we risk losing a way of life that has stood the test of time.

Farmers are the heart of our rural communities.
We can’t afford to let this moment pass. It’s time to stand up for farmers, stand up for rural life, and make sure that the countryside thrives for generations to come. The fight for rural survival starts now!