National Farmers Union bosses have called on Gordon Brown to introduce greater exemptions to the Climate Change Levy in the next budget.

The request is one of package designed to help farmers rebuild their businesses in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

Pegged fuel duty, the abolition of stamp duty and additional exemptions on the aggregates tax are other suggested policies that add to the main thrust of the NFU action – that the government should not add any more cost to farming.

The union is adamant that farmers must benefit from 100 per cent capital allowances for plant and machinery, and 25 per cent for buildings to help restructure their firms and meet environment and animal welfare targets.

NFU taxation chairman Wesley Abbey said: 'The farming community cannot sustain any additional costs on their business – quite the reverse.

'What farmers really need is a genuine improvement in their financial position as a result of this budget.'

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