RECENTLY I met again with Sophie Herd from the National Farmers’ Union at The Tors in Belstone to discuss the issues affecting our local farming communities.

It was a constructive conversation about how we can continue to support those who work so hard to produce the food we all depend on and to sustain the Devon countryside that so many of us cherish.

Farming is at the heart of rural life in Central Devon. It sustains thousands of livelihoods, supports local businesses and shapes the landscapes that attract visitors throughout the year. Yet I know from regular conversations with farmers that many are under real pressure.

Fluctuating prices for produce, high costs of fuel and feed, and concerns about future payments and trade are weighing heavily.

The NFU does outstanding work in giving our farmers a strong voice nationally and helping government understand the realities on the ground.

Agriculture remains one of Britain’s most vital industries. Across the UK it employs around 440,000 people and contributes more than £12 billion to the economy each year. But it is also an industry undergoing rapid change as we transition from the old EU Common Agricultural Policy to new domestic support schemes.

The Environmental Land Management Scheme is central to this, rewarding farmers for protecting soils, improving biodiversity and reducing emissions while still producing high-quality food.

Getting this balance right is essential, particularly for small and family-run farms where margins can be tight.

A key issue that has dominated recent discussions is Agricultural Property Relief.

This tax relief has long been crucial in allowing family farms to pass down land and assets through generations, keeping holdings intact and productive.

The government’s recent decision to reverse parts of its earlier policy on APR is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough.

I have campaigned strongly on this issue and believe the planned changes should be scrapped entirely.

Here in Central Devon, removing this relief risks the break-up of family farms, unfair inheritance tax burdens on local succession plans, and long-term damage to our rural economy.

We must ensure Britain’s farmers can invest confidently in the future without fearing punitive taxation on their land.

We also discussed the importance of rural infrastructure including broadband, roads and mobile coverage. Farmers rely increasingly on technology to run efficient businesses. Ensuring Devon’s rural communities are properly connected will remain one of my top priorities.

I want to thank Sophie Herd and the NFU for their commitment and partnership. Working together, we can ensure that Devon’s farms remain productive, sustainable and at the very heart of rural life.

Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com

Mel Stride

MP for Central Devon