A Dorset farmer's tragic decision to sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order was driven by a profound fear of the impact of inheritance tax changes on his family's farm. The farmer's family revealed that he made this choice due to the looming threat of a 20% inheritance tax rate on farms valued over £1 million, which was set to take effect in April 2026. This change sparked widespread concern and anger among farmers, who had previously been exempt from inheritance tax. The situation escalated into high-profile protests, with hundreds of tractors rolling into Westminster streets.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when the government announced in December that the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold would increase to £2.5 million, allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5 million in qualifying agricultural or business assets. Unfortunately, this announcement came too late for the Dorset farmer, who had already signed a DNR order, stating, 'I don't want to be here past April 5th' when the tax would affect his family. The farmer's son, speaking anonymously, explained that the family discussed the tax changes, and his father expressed his decision to sign a DNR. The son found his father's choice understandable, given the potential consequences of the tax.
The farmer, a lifelong farmer born into a farming family, owned an arable beef and sheep farm, which has now been passed on to his son. While the government's announcement was seen as a positive step, the son believes it's not enough. He advocates for provisions to protect the elderly and those with short life expectancies. Tim Gelfs, the NFU county chair for Dorset, emphasized the impact of the 'dreadful family farm tax,' highlighting the worries of old and terminally ill farmers who had no time to plan. Gelfs also raised concerns about the vulnerability of the food industry, which is susceptible to local and global events, as evidenced by the egg shortage a few years ago. The Dorset community has been actively campaigning to bring evidence and understanding to their MPs, with support from opposition parties, aiming to protect their agricultural heritage and food security.
