As 2025 comes to a close, NFU President Tom Bradshaw reflects on the past twelve months and the farming sector’s future in the coming year.
He said: “As we head into the new year, we can take pride in the resilience UK farming has shown over the past 12 months. I am optimistic that we now have firmer ground to build on and grow in 2026.
“It is right to look back and acknowledge that 2025 has been one of the toughest years on record. From impacts caused by global geopolitics and trade deals with the potential to undermine our marketplace, to ongoing price volatility and uncertainty around farming schemes, farmer confidence has reached an all-time low. Add to that the devastating spell of dry weather and drought which wreaked havoc with the summer’s harvest and created ongoing issues for farmers and growers, compounded by the changes to inheritance tax – which has now thankfully been changed.
“However, it is at testing times like these when I am most proud of our sector. Proud to see farmers standing together and proud of the work of the NFU to ensure farming’s voice is heard nationally and locally.
“Our most notable, significant success was of course the changes the government made to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, raising the threshold to £2.5 million. The change has taken 14 months of persistent campaigning by the NFU, its members and allied industries, and thousands of farmers and their families have dug in deep, standing up for what they knew to be right.
“We have had hours of calls with Labour backbenchers, particularly those representing rural seats, resulting in a rebellion with nearly 40 abstentions on the vote on Budget Resolution 50. I also had two very constructive meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and dozens of conversations with Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds. I am thankful that common sense has prevailed, the government has listened and there is a huge sense of relief for many farming families across England and Wales.
“Looking ahead to 2026, UK farming continues to face challenges in an uncertain world, but we now have a stronger foundation to build on and grow. In the new year, as the government takes forward its five key recommendations from the Farm Profitability Review, we stand ready to work in partnership to deliver our shared ambition: an agriculture sector that is set up to thrive and drive economic growth.”