Committee publication · Correspondence · 3 March 2026
Correspondence from Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs relating to her appearance before the Committee, dated 16 February 2026
Summary
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Dame Angela Eagle responds to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's follow-up questions from her 16 February 2026 appearance. She addresses four areas: the Nature Positive Pathways programme for aligning agri-food business with environmental targets; composition and remit of the Food Strategy Advisory Board; implementation timelines for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive; and inheritance tax relief reforms affecting agricultural and business property.
Key findings
- Nature Positive Pathways programme will emulate the climate transition model, led by industry, with agri-food sector pathway draft targeted for end of 2026.
- Food Strategy Advisory Board has appointed Peter Kendall and Julian Marks to represent farming expertise in arable, poultry, and horticulture; members appointed in personal professional capacity, not organisational representation.
- New Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) full details and guidance expected spring 2026; first application window opens summer 2026 with planned promotional webinars and agricultural show engagement.
- 25-year Farming Roadmap will be published later in 2026, addressing food production, environmental outcomes, and sector profitability amid unprecedented challenges.
- Agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) reforms: 85% of estates claiming APR in 2026-27 forecast to pay no additional inheritance tax; up to 185 estates (14%) expected to pay more tax.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Dame Angela Eagle, Alistair Carmichael, Peter Kendall, Julian Marks, Food Strategy Advisory Board, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“… businesses tell us that clarity is missing on how they can specifically contribute to our statutory goals.”
Key Quotes
“… businesses tell us that clarity is missing on how they can specifically contribute to our statutory goals.”
“It is a small group of senior leaders who have been appointed based on their individual experience to reflect the diversity of the sector.”
“The farming sector is facing unprecedented challenges that threaten both its long-term viability and environmental sustainability.”
“… around 85 per cent of all estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026- 27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to not pay any 3 more inheritance tax as a result of the reforms.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗