it's not beyond the wit of a well-versed taxman to make it work

(which i happily admit i'm not) - as i say there are many unintended consequences of all tax systems that require loopholes and exemptions, i'm not claiming that this is a magic system that doesn't.

as for currently left land being brought back into production - well that's all down to setting the levels of taxation (as near as damn it) correctly - it would not lead to a complete reversal at all as even if they were taxed on it (which they needed be as a limited amount of exemptions would no doubt be made) it still wouldn't automatically follow that the cost of keeping the poor land you've referred to in production would be more cost effective than simply leaving it lay fallow and paying the tax

there are obviously other alternatives - one is that all land that does not have tax paid upon it, reverts to state (therefore public) ownership - or perhaps the farmer could sell his unprofitable land to someone that can make better and more productive use of it

Posted By: Ralf Scrampton, Nov 24, 13:39:55