Local Scottish Conservative politicians say they were “delighted” to welcome party colleague and shadow farming minister Robbie Moore MP to the Borders for a visit on Friday.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton and Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont invited the Keighley and Ilkley MP to join them at Rulesmain Farm near Duns.
They met with the Hodge family – including female farmer Emma Hodge – as well as local NFUS members at the farm to hear about the huge challenges facing family farms like this.
That includes the introduction of a “cruel” family farm tax by Labour as well as their hikes in National Insurance which were both introduced by Rachel Reeves in her Budget last year.
The Conservatives have been firmly opposed to these new taxes since day one and says they will hammer farms like the Hodges and that Labour politicians are “completely detached” from realising the impact they will have on family farms and future food security.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton said: “I was delighted to be joined by Robbie Moore on this visit to just one of the many fantastic farms we have across the Scottish Borders.
“Rulesmain farm is a perfect example of a well-run family farm producing high-quality produce and that has done so for generations.
“We had the pleasure of meeting Emma who is proving that young women can excel in agriculture. Labour’s cruel family farm tax combined with their National Insurance hikes threaten to ruin those sorts of opportunities for young women like Emma.
“Labour must ditch these deeply damaging policies immediately and it is Conservative representatives across the United Kingdom who will continue to be on the side of our farmers.”
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont said: “It was fantastic to visit one of our brilliant Borders farms alongside the shadow farming minister, Robbie Moore MP.
“Across the whole UK, our party is the only one that stands up for farmers and understands the vital importance of food security.
“We spoke about the difficulties that farmers are going through with the lack of support from the SNP at Holyrood and damaging policies from Labour at Westminster such as the Family Farm Tax and the National Insurance hike.”
Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore MP said: “Without doubt one of the key issues for farming businesses is Labour’s Family Farm Tax.
“In addition, they are facing challenges with Labour’s National Insurance hike, the minimum wage and the Double Cab Pick-Up Tax.
“All of this is having devastating consequences and causing extreme uncertainty around how these vital businesses will plan going forward.
“Labour must axe their Family Farm Tax.”
