British beer is under threat because of the Government’s “tractor tax” that could sound “the death knell” for hop farmers, Keir Starmer has been warned. The Telegraph has the story.
The British Hop Association (BHA) said Labour’s inheritance tax raid could sound “the death knell” for hop producers, forcing breweries to import the crop from abroad instead.
Hops, which give beers and ales their bitter flavour, are the flower of the common hop plant and have been used by British brewers since the medieval period.
However, there are now just 44 hop-growing farms left in the country and industry representatives have warned that the Government’s 20% inheritance tax on farming assets worth more than £1 million could force many of them out of business.
Mark Andrews, of the BHA, told the Telegraph that the tax raid would “definitely hurt production”.
“Things are a struggle enough as it is,” said the 10th-generation hop and cider apple farmer from Ledbury, Herefordshire.
“A very large tax bill, even though it can be spread over 10 years… I can see hop production diminishing.
“It could be the death knell for British hop growing. Brewers would have to import much more foreign hops.”
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: Bombardier is among 11 classic beers to be axed by Danish brewing company Carlsberg, which stands accused of “wiping out” British brewing heritage. The Telegraph has more.
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