In an exclusive interview with Farmers Weekly's Abi Kay, former farm minister Daniel Zeichner gives an extraordinary account of life inside Defra. 

Revelations include Mr Zeichner's claim that as a minister he knew nothing about government plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers until after they were announced in the 2024 Budget.

He says he was then “dutifully dispatched to defend” the policy to furious farmers.

Mr Zeichner also admits that Labour was not sufficiently prepared for government when it was elected in July 2024.

He says he was unable to tell farmers the “full story” about problems with the government's flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which ran out of money in March 2025.

He also describes feeling “man-marked” by Treasury officials he had never met – and says the government should have foreseen the trouble its inheritance tax plans caused.

Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.

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To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0. 

In an exclusive interview with Farmers Weekly's Abi Kay, former farm minister <a href="https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farm-policy/zeichner-lifts-the-lid-on-life-inside-defra">Daniel Zeichner gives an extraordinary account of life inside Defra</a>.&nbsp;
Revelations include Mr Zeichner's claim that as a minister he knew nothing about government plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers until after they were announced in the 2024 Budget.
He says he was then &ldquo;dutifully dispatched to defend&rdquo; the policy to furious farmers.
Mr Zeichner also admits that Labour was not sufficiently prepared for government when it was elected in July 2024.
He says he was unable to tell farmers the &ldquo;full story&rdquo; about problems with the government's flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which ran out of money in March 2025.
He also describes feeling &ldquo;man-marked&rdquo; by Treasury officials he had never met &ndash; and says the government should have foreseen the trouble its inheritance tax plans caused.
Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.
To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: -
Contact or follow Johann: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/">linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/</a>
Contact or follow Abi: <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/abi-kay-38927130">uk.linkedin.com/in/abi-kay-38927130</a>
For Farmers Weekly, visit <a href="https://fwi.co.uk/">fwi.co.uk</a> or follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly">linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly</a>
To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email <a href="mailto:podcast@fwi.co.uk">podcast@fwi.co.uk</a>. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.&nbsp;

The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.

The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.