Councillors have backed a plea to support County Durham farmers after being warned “rural communities are under attack”.
A motion tabled by Reform’s Tim McGuinness at a recent full council meeting called on the local authority to publicly support the local farming community amid a challenging financial environment.
Cllr McGuinness, cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, urged councillors to support local farmers and producers.
“Our rural communities up and down this country are under attack,” he said.
“The inheritance tax disaster and the national insurance increases are just the latest measures in a long line of cruelly thought-out and poorly implemented policies. Policies that have hurt British farming.
“I ask this council to recognise the huge contribution made by our local farmers, growers, and the wider food and drink industry to the local economy, environment and our rural communities.
“We cannot let farming go silently in the night and vanish without a fight.”
Labour is pressing ahead with a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million, which is set to come into force from April 2026.
The controversial proposal was introduced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget, prompting a backlash from farmers who have argued it will force land sales, stall investment, and hurt families hoping to pass their farms on to the next generation.
The motion also called on the council to encourage residents to shop locally, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, reducing the food miles to our tables, while boosting the local rural economy.
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Andrew Husband, council leader, said: “This is about raising awareness of farmers who are under real threat, who need our help in County Durham.”
Campaigners have backed the National Farming Union’s ‘stop the family farm tax’ campaign since the proposal was revealed.
Councillors unanimously approved the motion at last week’s full council meeting. Reform Cllr Scott Woodhouse added: “By moving this motion, it shows that, as a council, we are together. Our farmers, like a good soldier, need to know that the person standing next to them will go all the way, fight their cause and protect the area. The rural economy is a very important part of County Durham.”
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