James Evans has told the First Minister that the “family farm tax” will damage the fabric of rural Wales.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd that he had been proud to stand with thousands of farmers and constituents in Westminster, and at the Winter Fair, to protest against the tax.

He told First Minister, Eluned Morgan: “This tax is going to damage the fabric of rural Wales, putting our family farms at risk, putting our food security at risk and has the real consequence of putting food prices up.

“You told farmers that they needed to calm down. That statement went down like a cup of cold sick with the farmers I represent.

“You said you would stand up for Wales. Will you now join the thousands of Welsh farmers and stand up for rural Wales, condemn your colleagues in Westminster and stand with me and those farmers and condemn the family farm tax?

“Will you please raise it with the Prime Minister to say that the Welsh Labour Government here does not stand with them on this matter?”

Ms Morgan said the Welsh Government is very aware of the concern in the agricultural community on this issue.

She told Mr Evans: “We know that agriculture contributes a huge amount to our economy, our culture and to communities in rural Wales in particular.

“That’s why the Deputy First Minister has been speaking to the farmers unions in Wales and has got an assurance that the UK Government will listen to them in relation to this matter.

“The National Farmers Union Cymru - the Farmers Union of Wales - their voices will be heard. It is important for us to recognise that this is a UK Government tax.

“It is important that those figures are bottomed out because, clearly, there is a lack of an agreement on who exactly will be impacted.”

Last week, thousands of people protested in London over changes to inheritance tax for farmers announced in the Budget.

From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, which were previously exempt, will be liable to the tax at 20 per cent.

NFU Cymru says the move poses a threat to the family farm structure and the nation’s food security.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he understands concerns, but has insisted the "vast majority" of farms will be unaffected.