Farmers in Northern Ireland are rallying against proposed inheritance tax changes, urging the government to reconsider its impact on family farms
Lisburn: Farmers are making their voices heard with rallies across Northern Ireland. They’re protesting against changes to inheritance tax that could hit family farms hard.
This National Day of Unity saw farmers bringing tractors, livestock, and food to town centers. It’s all about raising awareness and showing the government how serious this issue is.
Last Friday, a petition with over 270,000 signatures was delivered to Downing Street. NFU leaders are pushing for the government to scrap what they call the “devastating family farm tax.”
On Saturday, farmers gathered at the Eikon Centre near Lisburn. They took to the roads, with tractors lining up to make their point. Many had signs saying “Save Our Family Farms.”
They split into two routes, one heading to Banbridge and the other to Saintfield. Rallies also happened in other counties like Armagh and Antrim.
UFU chief Wesley Aston emphasized the urgency of the situation. He mentioned that the proposed tax changes could lead to hefty bills for the next generation of farmers, threatening their future.
Wesley said they want to make sure the public understands how these changes could affect food security and farming in general. They’re not just protesting for themselves but for everyone who relies on local farms.
The government responded, stating their commitment to farmers remains strong. They plan to invest £5 billion into farming over the next two years, which they claim is the largest budget for sustainable food production in history.
They also mentioned reforms to inheritance tax that would lower the effective rate to 20% and allow payments to be spread over ten years, interest-free. They believe this approach is fair and balanced.
