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Michael Gove's adviser urges review of farmers' tax-breaks
How long before Michael Gove shafts farmers in the same way that he shafted the education system? Going after farmers subsidies would hit many of the Tories staunchest supporters.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40760114
Tax breaks for UK farmers should be reviewed, the head of a group advising the environment secretary has said.
Economist Dieter Helm said the current system of taxpayer-funded support was extremely wasteful and the industry suffered from "subsidy addiction".
Prof Helm told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Farmers receive not just the £3bn of subsidy, they receive a whole range of other benefits that nobody else in the economy gets." Prof Helm said: "In this reassessment of support and subsidies for farmland we have to put the industry on a long-term reasonable and fair basis with other perfectly legitimate industries and business in the economy. If you're producing 0.7% of output, receiving £3bn of subsidies on output of about £9bn and being exempted on rates, being exempted on diesel and being exempted on inheritance tax, this is quite a list and we've got there by accident almost."
In July, Environment Secretary Michael Gove wrote to Prof Helm thanking him for his "counsel" and asking his Natural Capital Committee to advise him on the aims of a 25-year plan for the environment.
Economist Dieter Helm said the current system of taxpayer-funded support was extremely wasteful and the industry suffered from "subsidy addiction".
Prof Helm told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Farmers receive not just the £3bn of subsidy, they receive a whole range of other benefits that nobody else in the economy gets." Prof Helm said: "In this reassessment of support and subsidies for farmland we have to put the industry on a long-term reasonable and fair basis with other perfectly legitimate industries and business in the economy. If you're producing 0.7% of output, receiving £3bn of subsidies on output of about £9bn and being exempted on rates, being exempted on diesel and being exempted on inheritance tax, this is quite a list and we've got there by accident almost."
In July, Environment Secretary Michael Gove wrote to Prof Helm thanking him for his "counsel" and asking his Natural Capital Committee to advise him on the aims of a 25-year plan for the environment.