Large Turnout At Ulster Farmers’ Union Rally

Over 6,000 farmers and landowners turned up at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn on Monday to protest against the proposed changes in inheritance tax which will affect many farmers in future years.

There is a real concern within the farming community in Northern Ireland, and in all the other regions of the UK, that these changes to inheritance tax will lead to many farms closing down operations, or at least selling off a large portion of their land and assets. And such moves could seriously impact the food chain in the UK.

This Decision Is Nothing Short Of Devastating

Here are some quotes from a few of speakers at the rally, as copied from an article on the Insider Media website. Ulster Farmers Union president William Irvine spoke there and he said:

“The decision we’re facing on APR (Agricultural Property Relief) is nothing short of devastating.

“It affects everyone, from the youngest child to the eldest member of our community, and it will shape the future of rural NI. This is not a one off hit on our businesses, it will threaten every generation in the future. Politicians and representatives from the Labour Government are here tonight, and they need to hear our message loud and clear, this decision must be overturned.

“The government’s claim that ‘£3 million in relief’ will shield us is utterly misleading. They’re talking about APR alone and ignoring Business Property Relief for the stock, machinery, and assets that make our farms run. By twisting the numbers, they paint a picture that 73% of farms won’t be affected. This is not just wrong – it’s deceptive. The Labour Government is out of touch with the realities of farming, and we’re here to put the record straight and let them know that in no uncertain terms is this acceptable.

“It’s not just our farms on the line. This impacts our food security, the lifeblood of our rural economy, and the very communities we cherish. Retailers are estimating this budget will cost them an additional £100 million. Where do you think they’ll make up for that? Right down the supply chain, on our backs. Rising costs, tight margins, higher wages – it’s all stacking up against us, and it’s unsustainable,”

Now We Stand On The Brink of Losing It All

Local farmers Jessica Pollock and Lorraine Killen also spoke at the event and Mrs Killen is quoted as saying:

“For generations, we have poured everything into our farms – every penny, every ounce of effort, and made countless sacrifices. We’ve faced immense challenges, and some of us have endured devastating losses. Yet, we carried on. And now, we stand on the brink of losing it all.

“This entire farming community has been living under a very dark cloud of late. We are struggling to comprehend what this future holds, and we are scared of what it means for our children. Those little ones who follow us around the yard, asking questions, learning, and dreaming of their own futures in farming – what will we tell them? That they have no choice but to give it all up? That their hopes and dreams have been stolen?

“I stand here tonight because I refuse to let that happen. Each and every one of us in this room is here because we refuse to let that happen. We will not allow our family farms to be sacrificed to fix Government overspending. We will not allow our farms and livelihoods to disappear,”

The strength of feeling within the farming community should not be underestimated. The government should definitely take a second look at this so that they hopefully have a change of heart.