The immediate withdrawal of the proposed family farm tax is being called for in an urgent motion to be debated by Devon County Council.

The call is being made by Okehampton Rural county councillor Lois Samuel who is also a member of the ruling Cabinet.

In a Notice of Motion to be discussed by the council on December 5, the councillor for Okehampton says the imposition of inheritance tax  by the Labour Government is a threat to the existence of many family farms.

"It will also jeopardise this country’s food security, environmental safeguards and the rural way of life which depends on farming.

“This is an assault on thousands of farmers who work hard every day of the year to put food on our tables and just want to pass on their farms to their sons and daughters.

“It’s estimated the tax will affect over 70,000 family farms and leave the average farming family with a tax bill of at least £240,000.

“That will force many farmers to sell some of their land or close entirely and that will just pave the way for corporate ownership over family ownership.

“Selling off land or closing farms will put our national food independence at risk, at a time when global stability is already fragile. British family farms are critical to ensuring a steady supply of homegrown food.

“Family farms are the foundation of rural Britain, contributing to local jobs, schools, and essential services. Labour’s proposed tax risks destabilising communities, eroding the rural way of life, and causing a negative ripple effect across the countryside.

“Farms cover 70 per cent of the UK’s land, with family farms playing a leading role in nature recovery, biodiversity, and sustainable land management. The sale and fragmentation of these lands would hinder conservation efforts and undermine environmental initiatives.

“Devon County Council should stand with our family farms, support our rural communities, and protect the environment by formally rejecting this proposed “family farm tax”.