Graham has thrown his weight behind a motion by Cllr Sean McMaster (Con, South East Holderness) calling on East Riding of Yorkshire Council to show its support for the farmers of East Yorkshire.
Farmers are facing an existential threat from the Labour government, which announced in the Budget that it intends to abolish Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) for estates with over £1 million in assets – branded the Family Farm Tax.
Graham is deeply concerned by this potential tax, which could force small, family farms across East Yorkshire out of business when they are passed on to the next generation.
Graham has spoken against this in the House of Commons, voted to overturn it and attended two farmers’ marches in Westminster, as well as arranging a round-table discussion with farmers to hear how these measures will affect them.
Graham also started a petition to allow residents of Beverley and Holderness to show their support for farmers and opposition to the Family Farm Tax. 993 people have signed so far, and anyone can sign the petition at www.grahamstuart.com/FarmTax.
Councillor McMaster has proposed the motion, which will be heard at Full Council on Wednesday 8th January.
A tractor rally through Beverley will take place on Wednesday, meeting in the Westwood at 11.50am. While Graham can’t be present, he is fully supportive of farmers and has sent a message to the organisers expressing his sincere support for farmers in the East Riding as they fight for their futures.
Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, commented, "The family farm isn’t just the bedrock of our communities but the very foundation of our food supply.
“Farmers work all hours, in all weathers, to feed the nation, for very little in return.
“The people of Beverley and Holderness feel very strongly about this – indeed, 993 people have signed my petition opposing the Family Farm Tax.
“I hope the Council will join each and every one of them in opposing the Family Farm Tax.
“The shocking, regressive Family Farm Tax puts all their futures at risk, and I hope the council will back Sean’s excellent motion on Wednesday.”
Cllr Sean McMaster (Con, South East Holderness) said, “This inheritance tax raid on farmers will be detrimental to our rural economy and farming communities.
“I stand behind our local farmers one hundred percent, and I am asking for colleagues from across the East Riding to do the same, many of whom, like me, represent rural farming communities.”
