Defra head accused of snubbing farmers over IHT fears

Defra secretary Steve Reed has been accused of failing to properly engage with farmers at the Royal Cornwall Show, and of skipping the Devon County Show entirely, amid rising anger over the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax.

Farmers and rural leaders have repeatedly warned that Labour’s tax reforms could force families to sell off land to meet rising liabilities. But as concerns mounted at a farmer summit in Devon on Friday, neither Mr Reed nor farming minister Daniel Zeichner attended – prompting accusations of avoidance from across the sector.

See also: Farmer confronts Steve Reed over inheritance tax betrayal

Shadow farming minister Robbie Moore was scathing in his criticism. Writing on X, he said: “Cowardly, pathetic and such disrespectful behaviour.

“Defra secretary Steve Reed refused to properly engage with farmers and the media at the Royal Cornwall Show, and dropped out of the Devon County Show altogether.

“If you can’t justify your actions and policies as a secretary of state – you’re in the wrong job.”

Cowardly, pathetic and such disrespectful behaviour.

DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed refused to properly engage with farmers and the media at the Royal Cornwall Show, and dropped out of the Devon County Show altogether.

If you can’t justify your actions and policies as a Secretary…

— Robbie Moore MP (@_RobbieMoore) June 8, 2025

Defra rejected the criticism, saying Mr Reed met with representatives from the NFU, the Country Land and Business Association and several farmers throughout the Royal Cornwall Show. 

However, he was scheduled to be grilled by guests at last month’s Devon County Show, at Clyst St Mary, near Exeter, but withdrew and was replaced by the shadow minister, Lord Roborough.

On Friday, growers gathered at Darts Farm, near the seaside town of Topsham in Devon, with Mr Moore and David Reed, the Conservative MP for Exmouth and Exeter East, who organised the event. 

Mr Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said farming minister Daniel Zeichner was invited to attend the event and panel discussion, but declined.

Speaking at a farmer roundtable in Devon, according to the Daily Express, Mr Moore said: “It’s just frustrating that, despite the government making huge decisions that are negatively impacting many of our farming businesses, they seem unwilling to justify them.

“This is a cliff-edge policy. A tragedy tax.”

One elderly farmer, Mr Moore revealed, feared he would face a £1m bill if he died after the new threshold took effect from April 2026.

Defra riposte

In a statement, Defra hit back at the criticism, saying: “The secretary of state and farming minister have championed British farming from the moment they took office, speaking to thousands of farmers and holding regular meetings.”

Defra also pointed to record levels of investment and the appointment of former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to lead reforms aimed at boosting farm profitability.