Author Archives: Becky Wilson

Why Farmers are protesting against the UK Government, March 2025

Written by Becky Wilson, 3rd Generation.

I wished to write a blog post to explain to those who aren’t 100% clear on the reason why farmers are protesting the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax (IHT) on family farms. This is a post which isn’t twisted by the media (or in some cases not even covered!) identifying that these changes could have devastating financial and operational consequences for farming businesses, many of which have been passed down for generations.

Land & Machinery Are Illiquid Assets

Farming is asset-rich but cash-poor. Most of a farm’s value is tied up in land, machinery, and livestock, not in cash or easily sellable assets. If the government reduces tax reliefs or increases IHT, families may be forced to sell off land, equipment, or even the farm itself just to pay the tax bill. 

Threat to Generational Family Farms

Many British farms have been passed down for generations and rely on Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) to remain viable. If the proposed changes reduce or remove these reliefs, the tax burden on inheritance could be so high that families can’t afford to keep their farms running.

A point which is key to understand is that farmers are custodians of the land for future generations, as well as custodians for all the habitats, wildlife and other ‘public benefits’ like footpaths. 

£1 Million Threshold is Unrealistic

The proposed £1 million exemption might sound generous, but it barely covers a small farm’s land and equipment, let alone an entire working business. For example:

• A couple of tractors, combines, and machinery can easily be worth over £1 million. This was identified at the Farmers Rally on the 4^th March with some of the machinery used to make part of the ingredients for a pancake being present. 
• Farmland values have risen, making even a modest-sized farm exceed the threshold.
• This doesn’t account for livestock, buildings, and everything else needed to run a farm.

Impact on UK Food Security

If family farms are forced to sell land or shut down, it reduces domestic food production, making the UK more reliant on imports. This affects:

• Food prices (higher costs for consumers).
• Sustainability (increased imports mean more carbon emissions).
• Rural economies (jobs and local businesses depend on farms).

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Being Cut Overnight

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is the government subsidy that has historically provided direct financial support to farmers based on the amount of land they farm. For years, it has been a crucial safety net, helping farmers maintain profitability in an industry where costs are high, and margins are tight.

• The government removed BPS payments overnight, leaving farmers with the ability to receive up to £7,200 and cannot be exceeded. This is all dependent on acreage.
• This is a huge financial shock, particularly for larger farms that relied on BPS as a key part of their income.
• Worse still, BPS is set to completely disappear by 2028, leaving farmers scrambling to replace the lost revenue.

Farmers were already planning for this loss, looking at alternative income streams, but these overnight cuts mean they now have a short period of time to adapt with no buffer and little government support to fill the gap.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) immediately stopped accepting new applications

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) was promoted by the government as a cornerstone of the post-Brexit agricultural policy, designed to encourage and financially support farmers in adopting more sustainable practices. This included initiatives like improving soil health, promoting biodiversity, and other environmentally friendly farming techniques. The sudden stopping of new applications without prior warning has disrupted many farmers’ operational and financial planning, many of whom had already started making changes in anticipation of receiving SFI support.

This latest announcement raises real concerns within the farming community about the stability and reliability of agricultural support policies in the UK. The agriculture sector is crucial for the country not just economically, but also for our food security and environmental sustainability.

Farming is all about long-term planning, and these sudden changes create a financial void at the worst possible time.

Unfair Treatment Compared to Other Businesses

• Many big corporations have ways to legally reduce tax burdens, while small family farms don’t.
• Farms are long-term businesses, not speculative investments.
• Farming families work all their lives on the land, yet the proposed tax treats them as if they are sitting on disposable wealth.

A bit more context … did you know?

• Many farmers don’t pay themselves a ‘wage’ and often don’t enjoy retirement because they either love what they do or simply cannot afford to pay themselves!
• Farmers don’t often have control over several factors that impact their production e.g. the weather nor the prices that they can sell their produce for, as markets are driven by global impacts. This means that farm businesses are high risk.

What Farmers Are Proposing 

1. Fair inheritance tax policies that protect generational farming. Such as tax being ‘deferred’ and only becoming payable if the land is subsequently sold. So nothing is paid on inheritance, but if the next generation decide to sell (and therefore release the cash value of the land) they would pay tax. 
2. Recognition that farming assets are essential to food production and not just “wealth”.
3. The government to consult properly with farming communities before making changes.

This is why farmers are taking to the streets. Protecting their farms means protecting the future of British food and rural life!

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Designing a Future Forest: Learning from the Forestry Commission at Burrough Court

At Burrough Court, we are committed to sustainable land management and ensuring that our natural environment thrives for generations to come. Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming the Forestry Commission to our estate to survey the land and guide us in designing a forest that aligns with our landscape and soil composition.

Why Forestry Matters 🌳🌍

Forestry plays a vital role in promoting biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and sustainable land use. With growing conversations around climate change and responsible land stewardship, it’s essential to understand how we can integrate forestry practices that benefit both the environment and the local ecosystem.

Key Takeaways from the Forestry Commission’s Visit:

✅ Land & Soil Survey – Understanding the types of trees that will thrive in our unique soil conditions.
✅ Sustainable Forest Planning – Learning how to plant and manage trees to support wildlife and biodiversity.
✅ Long-Term Environmental Benefits – Enhancing carbon capture, reducing soil erosion, and improving local air quality.
✅ Woodland Management Best Practices – Implementing techniques that ensure the longevity and health of our future forest.

A Commitment to Sustainable Farming & Land Use 🌱

As part of our ongoing mission at Burrough Court, we are continually seeking ways to incorporate environmentally conscious practices into our farming and land management efforts. This includes initiatives such as agroforestry, regenerative farming, and biodiversity-focused projects that contribute to a thriving rural ecosystem.

🚜 Want to learn more about forestry, sustainable farming, and conservation at Burrough Court? 📖 Make sure you’ve signed up to our newsletter Court Life in the footer on our homepage www.burroughcourt.com

Revitalizing Our Landscape: The Thrill of Planting Hedgerows on the Estate

As the crisp air of late autumn wraps around our estate, an exciting transformation is taking place. It’s the prime season for planting bare root hedging, and our dedicated team, led by Laggy (Estate Maintenance), has been hard at work. In just ten days, they’ve skilfully planted an impressive 13,236 bare roots, covering a total of 2,206 meters.

All the bare roots that are being planted are connecting existing woods and hedgerows together, leading to what we hope will be an increase in wildlife across the Estate with one in particular mammal being desired and that is the hedgehog. Fingers crossed!

Understanding Bare Root Hedging Plants

Before diving deeper, let’s talk about what bare root hedging plants are. These plants are the most cost-effective option for large-scale projects like ours. Grown in fields, they are lifted when dormant—between November and April—and the soil is shaken off. This process ensures the plants are fresh and ready for their new home in the ground, making this time of year perfect for planting.

The Ideal Locations for Planting

Choosing the right location to plant a bare root hedge is crucial for its success. On our estate, these hedges serve as natural boundaries in arable fields, clearly defining the extents of different areas. They are also ideal for large-scale plantings. The nature of bare root hedges allows us to plan extensively without the immediate need for a mature hedgerow, giving nature the time to flourish at its own pace.

The Varieties We Are Planting

This year, our selection of hedging plants includes a mix of native species chosen for their resilience and environmental benefits. These include:

• Hawthorn
• Blackthorn
• Sloe berries
• Hazelnuts (great source of food for mammals)
• Dog wood (great for pollinators)
• Spindle
• Dog Rose
• Field Maple

Each species was selected to contribute to biodiversity, support local wildlife, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of our landscape. Throughout the year the hedgerow will portray a variety of colours in the berries and leaves, with pink flowers, white flowers and red leaves.

The Importance of Planting Hedges

Planting hedges goes beyond just improving the visual appeal of the estate. Here are several compelling reasons why we’re committed to this project:

1. Biodiversity Boost: Hedges provide crucial habitats and corridors for wildlife, supporting a diverse range of insects, birds, and mammals.
2. Soil Protection: They play a vital role in soil conservation, preventing erosion and promoting healthier soil ecosystems.
3. Carbon Sequestration: As they grow, hedgerows absorb carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change.
4. Wind and Noise Barrier: Strategically placed hedges act as natural barriers to wind and noise, creating a more tranquil and sheltered environment.
5. Historical Landscape Integration: Hedges help maintain the historical integrity of our rural landscape, preserving the traditional look and feel of the area.

Looking Forward

As we continue to expand our hedgerow network, the environmental and aesthetic benefits will grow exponentially. Each plant that takes root is a step towards a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem. This undertaking not only beautifies the estate’s landscape but also contributes significantly to our local environment and global ecological health.

Stay tuned as we update you on their progress and educate you on what and why we are doing certain things on the Estate.

Enjoyed reading this? Read a previous blog post on ‘Why hedgerows are crucial to reaching sustainable farming goals’ here