Farmers Hard-Done by the Budget?

Catching up with in-depth National news after a brief absence, I am shocked — and torn — to read detailed accounts of the latest tensions between farmers and the government.

Having been brought up with an instinctive notion of ‘bequeathing’, Mrs Lao and I would be the first to suffer, but we can see that, if society continues to evolve towards a more egalitarian model, the concept of inheritance will (some would say should) become obsolete. In a meritocracy, neither positions, means, professions, houses, possessions, nor, for that matter, gardens, should be inherited — each generation to their own, according to their merit, as well as their desire to contribute to society from scratch; a big question prompting much thinking and a re-evaluation of both land and real estate ownership. The farmers wish to bequeath their farms; we gardeners wish to bequeath our gardens … or do we?

 

I think there should be a level playing field, and farmers should have to apply to that, I'm not anti farmer but if there are some things the government intends to confiscate of my belongings, when I die, I think the same should apply to farmers.

 

This is a sore subject at the moment. My father firmly believed that what he'd worked extremely hard for should all go to me. The UK government, he felt, had already had their share of contributions and tax. Luckily, he arranged things so that was exactly what happened, before the option was withdrawn. Although I've no children, I also firmly believe that I should be able to leave what bit I've got to whom I choose. The French state thinks otherwise and will levy 60% tax on any bequests other than to immediate family, a sliding scale on anything left to parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. I find that truly disgraceful. I don't think it has anything to do with an egalitarian model. It's a classic case of the State clawing in money wherever and whenever it can. At best discrimination against the childless, at worst pure property theft.
Can UK afford to lose farmers? France is haemorrhaging agriculteurs at an alarming rate with few youngsters wanting to pursue a difficult and often not particularly profitable way of life. Another nail in the coffin?