NFU Cymru toy appeal to spearhead #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign
NFU Cymru is seeking donations of pre-loved farm toys as part of its ongoing Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign
The toy appeal is seeking thousands of toys, from handheld farm toys to ride-on tractors, to encapsulate the effect of the UK Government’s proposed inheritance tax changes on family farms. The eye-catching large collection of toys will form an exhibit at the QEII Centre in London on the day of the NFU Conference (Tuesday 25th February), alongside a display showcasing how farm machinery has evolved over generations.
On Friday 7th February NFU Cymru launched its collection appeal at its network of 31 offices across Wales, including its headquarters on the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, LD2 3TU. The union is requesting that donations are not broken beyond use and do not have sharp edges or missing parts. Donations should be packed in sturdy bags or boxes to prevent damage during transport. The deadline for toy donations will be Wednesday 19th February.
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “We’re asking people across Wales to send us their pre-loved farm toys so we can showcase to UK Treasury the impact that this ill-considered policy will have on generations of family farms.
“Please get your toy tractors to your local NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual office by Wednesday 19th February. Together we can make this an unmissable visual statement of the industry’s opposition to the UK Government’s family farm tax.”
The NFU Cymru toy donation and subsequent exhibit is the latest activity in a long line of NFU lobbying following the UK Government’s budget announcement in October last year, when the Chancellor put forward plans for changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). Farming unions state that the changes could decimate family farms in Wales and across the UK, with data evidencing that 75% farm businesses could be affected.
Farmers and Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign supporters can find donation tips and information on Welsh collection points on the NFU Cymru website at https://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/
