Welsh Conservative Shadow Farming Minister Andrew RT Davies has urged policymakers to get behind our agricultural industry to mark Back British Farming Day.
Britain currently produces under 60% of its own food, down from 75% three decades ago.
Mr Davies said it was “crucial” those in power deliver policies that make us more self-sufficient and reiterated his calls for Plaid Cymru Senedd ministers to provide an extra £100 million to the farming budget over the next four years.
He also said food labelling regulations should be tightened so consumers aren’t misled about foreign products’ origins.
Mr Davies called for “punitive policies” such as the Government’s Family Farm Tax, in which inheritance tax will be charged on agricultural land, to be dropped.
He warned farmers “are not rich” and said it was crucial land could be passed down to the next generation.
He contrasted farmers with hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos, who is set to leave Britain next year.
The £330 million Rokos paid in tax last year is more than the amount the Family Farm Tax is projected to raise.
Mr Davies told the Government to stop targeting farmers and instead do more to encourage entrepreneurs to stay in Britain.
Mr Davies said:
“Britain needs to become more self-sufficient – and helping farmers produce more of our own food is crucial to achieving this.
“To back British farming, we need a larger agricultural budget, better food labelling regulations, and an end to devastating taxes that will stop the next generation producing the food we need.
“Last year, one billionaire’s tax paid more than the amount the Family Farm Tax will raise – instead of killing British farming those in power should work to encourage more entrepreneurs to stay in Britain.”
ENDS
NOTE: Link to the original article can be found here
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/sep/08/billionaire-chris-rokos-tax-quit-uk
NOTE: Link to the Government’s revenue projection of the family farm tax
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-01-05/hcws1218
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