Somerset Branch Chairman's Report 2026
Somerset Branch Chairman Ewen Cameron delivers his annual report ahead of the Branch AGM on September 21 2026.
"Farming, normally following the slow rhythm of the seasons, has been buffeted not only by geopolitics through the closure of the strait of Hormuz and resulting impact on fuel and fertiliser prices, but also a more extreme tempo to that seasonal rhythm."
I remember thinking this time last year that I was summarising an exceptional year, but sitting down to write this year’s summary feels no different. Is it always the same?!
Recapping in brief; we have had some welcome changes to the allowances in the new APR/BPR rules, but the new IHT rules remain a bone of contention.
The SFI has reopened after a rare apology and admission from the Defra Secretary that mistakes were made in the way it was closed, but now with some significant and, particularly to larger farmers, unwelcome changes.
On the planning and property side of things the Renters Rights Act has now come into effect and we will all be keeping a close eye on how that new policy affects the tenant landlord relationship.
A consultation on the NPPF closed in March, with a response expected this summer, covering housing, energy, climate, nature and heritage. We remain hopeful that a new national decision-making policy would support agriculture, forestry and rural businesses.
A new Land Use Framework has been published, and the CLA responded positively, although with an eye for any unintended consequences as the dust settles. We have also responded to consultations on Biodiversity Net Gain and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
Farming, normally following the slow rhythm of the seasons, has been buffeted not only by geopolitics through the closure of the strait of Hormuz and resulting impact on fuel and fertiliser prices, but also a more extreme tempo to that seasonal rhythm. After a wet winter, an exceptionally dry spring and now heatwave after heatwave the full impact on the harvest is unclear as I write…although I would hazard that by the time you read this the rain will be tipping down again and thoughts will have turned to next year’s crop.
What will certainly have changed by the time you read this is Britain’s political landscape. As I write, Andy Burnham has been in power barely a week and his values and policies are unclear. As a nine-year mayor of Manchester he will not have had to consider the impact of his policies on rural areas, and we can hope he will be open to advice from the CLA on how to think about that.
What we do know is that some form of land value tax is on his agenda and he has a strong instinct for devolution. We will keep our eyes and ears open for what that means and, as ever, the CLA will be listening to its members and doing its best to represent their voice while new ideas from Westminster take shape.
Ewen Cameron
Chairman, Somerset Branch