As we move into the New Year, we would like to wish all our clients a Happy New Year from everyone at Lister Haigh. We hope you had a good Christmas and were able to enjoy a well-earned break with family and friends.
This year begins with the surprise Christmas present from the Government to the family farming and business community, with the announcement of the increase to Agricultural Property Relief (APR ) and Business Property Relief (BPR) from £1 million to £2.5 million for each person.
Effectively now £5 million for a couple, following the announcement of the relief being transferrable between spouses in the November Budget.
Inheritance Tax Update – APR & BPR Relief Changes
Whilst the increase in APR & BPR reliefs is very welcome, the stress and potentially unnecessary costs incurred by the original proposal in October 2024 remain. The length of time for the government to recognise the consequences leaves questions about how willing those in power, or their advisors, are to acknowledge mistakes and their understanding of an industry that needs certainty and stability for long term planning.
The increase to the reliefs could make a meaningful difference when it comes to succession and estate planning for farming families and businesses. If you haven’t reviewed your arrangements, now may be a good opportunity to do so. We would be pleased to talk this through and help you understand what it could mean in practice.
SFI Update
The DEFRA Secretary, Emma Reynolds, has confirmed at the Oxford Farming Conference that the ‘Reformed’ SFI Scheme is due to open later this year, with a focus on making it simpler and more focused, with the number of actions available being reduced. The scheme will have two application windows, the first of which will be in June 2026 and available to farmers with small farms and farmers without existing environmental land management agreements. The second application will then follow in September where all farmers will be eligible to apply.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) – Claim Deadline Reminder
A reminder to clients that the deadline for submitting Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) claims is midday on 31 March 2026.
To ensure your claim is processed smoothly, you will need the following information:
A copy of the invoice
A bank statement showing payment
Photographs of the item
The serial number of the item (where available)
We recommend preparing this documentation well in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
NVZ Timings – Key Dates to Remember
As we enter the early part of the year, it is important to remain compliant with Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations. Below is a reminder of the key NVZ application dates, assuming conditions are suitable at the time of application:
1st January Grassland and tillage land on shallow or sandy soils within an NVZ can have organic manure with a high, readily available nitrogen content applied (e.g. slurry, poultry manure or liquid digested sewage sludge).
16th January Any grassland or tillage land within an NVZ can have manufactured nitrogen fertiliser applied, provided ground and weather conditions are suitable.
1st February All grassland and tillage land, across all soil types, can have organic manure with high, readily available nitrogen content applied, subject to suitable conditions.
Please remember that soil conditions, weather, and risk of runoff must always be considered before any application takes place.
If you would like advice on any of the topics above, or support with planning and compliance in the year ahead, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you throughout 2026 and beyond.
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Lister Haigh
Lister Haigh are a team of expert chartered surveyors, land, and estate agents, offering proactive and high-quality services across rural and agricultural sectors.
