Arable farmer Charlie Harper (Image: Charlie Harper)
Fourth generation farmer Charlie Harper has said it is getting “harder and harder” to produce food for the nation with the sector under attack by the Government.
The father of two daughters, 37, pointed to higher prices, subsidy changes and Labour’s inheritance tax raid which have contributed to tough times for the industry.
The arable farmer, from Northamptonshire, said the Government’s policies show “they’re not particularly behind British farmers at all”.
He said: “Farmers just want to concentrate on producing food for the nation but it’s becoming harder and harder.”
When asked if the sector was constantly under attack by the Government, he said: “Certainly at the moment.”
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Charlie, who attended last week’s protests in London, added: “It doesn’t feel like we’re getting any help at all, the Government is happy to import cheap produce with lower standards. It was only a couple of years ago the shelves were empty due to global issues. I worry for our countryside and our ability to provide the best produce which this country so proud of.”
He told how their family’s 400 acre farm is owned by his 74-year-old father.
After the inheritance allowance, they would have assets over £4million that they would need to pay 20% tax on – which adds up to more than £800,000 excluding interest.
This means forking out £100,000 a year for 10 years to cover the costs.
Charlie said: “That’s just really unworkable. Obviously there’s a seven year rule at the moment which is a good thing. Dad’s 74 now and he’s fit and well now. We’re looking at our options for handing things over. If anything were to happen to him, then there’s going to be a big tax bill and large parts of it will need to be sold which would mean it’s not a viable business at all. There are a lot of farms owned by older farmers where the 7 year rule will not necessarily help at all”
He added: “We’ve also just had 60mm of rain wash through the farm which will no doubt wash crops away which will then potentially need to be re-drilled or certainly looked at in the spring so there’s a loss there.”