In an unprecedented show of unity, the nine leading farmer co-operatives have come together to issue a statement following the recent budget. Through a coordinated approach, we aim to spread our message and encourage support wherever possible. This will include engaging with the press, both regionally and nationally, as well as with suppliers and other stakeholders.

Statement follows:

A statement by Farmer Owner Cooperatives on behalf of our farming members

As nine farmer-owned cooperatives, we are united in purpose in representing 10,500 family farms across England. We work together to deliver greater value, benefits, and resilience to each family farming business we support. Now, more than ever, our cooperative strength and influence are crucial in pushing back against the recently proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) outlined by the Chancellor on 30th October.
These changes threaten the very future of family farms, endangering the UK’s food security, reducing food production, and jeopardising farming’s environmental contributions. The consequences will also ripple across the rural economy, affecting jobs and investment throughout our communities.
In solidarity with industry leaders, including the National Farmers Union (NFU), Country Land & Business Association (CLA), and Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), we urge an immediate reversal of these proposed changes. Together, we are committed to preserving the strength, stability, and heritage of family farms for generations to come.

To help overturn APR and BPR tax changes, we the undersigned urge all members to add their name to the NFU’s petition and Back British Farming’s call to overturn the family farm tax at https://www.campaigns.nfuonline.com/page/160300/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=NFUOnlineArticle

We also encourage all members to add their name to letters being sent to all rural MPs calling for an urgent reversal of the budget proposals. This action is open to CLA and non CLA members on the following link.

https://www.cla.org.uk/news/help-the-cla-save-your-family-business/

The NFU has also organised a mass lobby of MPs in London on Tuesday 19th November supported by 600 NFU members to press for a reversal to the proposed budget changes.

Collectively we support our members and the wider farming industry in this combined approach to overturn the planned tax changes.

Dear Members,

Further to the revised Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023, as of the 1st of October 2023, any member that wishes to purchase any form of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser, including NPK blends, MUST have on record with us a form of photographic ID before the order can be placed. This can be a passport, driving licence, trade card, or travel pass. A “selfie” is not deemed as suitable.

This is a national requirement, out of our control and you may well be contacted by other suppliers to do the same.

Only one photo ID is required to allow any member of that business to make the purchase, although this must be relevant to who is on the Woldmarsh member cards for that business.

These regulations are enforced by the Police and failure to comply is a criminal offence with associated fines if convicted.

CLICK HERE for more information it would be good to familiarise yourselves with.

The requested forms of identification can be emailed into fert@woldmarsh.com, we will add these to a database and your member card, and this will be checked when any further orders are placed after the 1st of October 2023.

Your assistance with this is paramount to ensure a smooth process on future orders, no ID could slow the process down causing issues on order processes.

Yours sincerely
Ben Cutsforth