Isle of Wight representatives from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) met with Island MPs on Tuesday to discuss the government's inheritance tax measure on farmland.

The NFU held a mass lobbying event, where representatives met with their constituency MPs, urging them to challenge the government's inheritance tax measure. 

In October, the Labour government announced that inheritance tax will be charged at the rate of 20 per cent on farmland worth over £1m, starting in April 2026. 

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1,800 NFU members attended the mass lobby, urging backbenchers to stand up against the government's tax measure.

This measure has been met with considerable pushback from the farming community, with a mass demonstration organised by a group of independent farmers happening concurrently with the mass lobby of MPs.

Robyn Munt, county chair of the NFU for the Isle of Wight, said: "It was a really positive event with a fantastic turnout of members.

"Even MPs holding the party line were listening. They do get it."

Robyn said that Island MPs Richard Quigley and Joe Robertson were both supportive of the rural community and that members were able to get their point across in a calm, measured way.

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Victoria Atkins MP attended the meeting with Joe Robertson. 

Robyn met with Mr Quigley as her farm, Parkwater Farm, falls within the Isle of Wight West constituency. 

She said: "I think Richard is very passionate about the Island. My understanding is that he is part of a coalition of MPs that are pushing back against this."

Despite the event being a success for the NFU, the row is far from over. 

Robyn said: "On the Island, we work on a tight ship, it's predominantly small family farm businesses.

"This change will affect us. If this is long term, it will be a long-term battle."

Following the meeting, Joe Robertson said: “The government is pushing ahead with the new ‘Family Farm Tax’ which is a betrayal of our rural communities, including here on the Island.

“Farming isn’t a job or a career. It is a way of life, and it should be protected.

"To ask farming families to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax is not credible - particularly when many family farms are struggling to get by.

“I was pleased to meet with five farmers from East Wight, and I hope my Labour MP colleagues will join me in standing firmly against these changes and call for a U-turn on this misguided decision.”

Mr Quigley said: "After meeting with farmers this week, they were in support of the purpose of the policy to stop wealthy individuals buying farmland to avoid paying inheritance tax. They want farmland to be farmed.

"Over 50 per cent of farmland sold in 2022 hadn't been farmed in the previous five years.  

I understand the concerns they presented to me and along with colleagues, we are presenting case studies to Defra and the Treasury."