Daniel Zeichner gave the opening address at the Norfolk Farming Conference, which brought around 450 rural professionals to the Norfolk Showground.

The Labour minister, who began his political career in South Norfolk, laid out the government’s plans for agriculture, through its Farming Roadmap and newly-launched consultation on a Land Use Framework.

He said "sustainable and profitable" food production is at the heart of these policies, which also aim to protect nature, generate fairer returns for farmers within the supply chain, and "empower" farm businesses to diversify and become more resilient.

Defra minister Daniel Zeichner spoke to farmers at the 2025 Norfolk Farming Conference at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Sonya Duncan) But during a brief Q&A session, he faced criticism of the chancellor's decision to scrap inheritance tax relief for farms valued over £1m - leaving many family farms with a crippling 20pc tax bill when handing land down to future generations.

Mr Zeichner said this change - which has sparked protests across the county - was one of many difficult decisions necessary to balance the nation's economy, and that the........

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