These family farms, handed down from generation to generation, are not only intrinsic to our rural way of life but are also vital to our local economy. However, this proud tradition is now under severe threat. The Labour Government’s decision to abolish Agricultural Property Relief on inheritance tax risks dismantling this model of family farming.
Upon the death of a farmer, the inheritance tax bill faced by their family will be unmanageable for many. The result will be the forced sale of farmland and the exodus of people from an industry that has sustained their families for generations. For our economy and rural communities, this spells disaster.
The DUP strongly opposes this short-sighted and callous decision by the Chancellor. Labour’s socialist ideology must not be allowed to destroy an industry and a way of life that is woven into the very fabric of Northern Ireland. Without farmers, there is no locally produced food. Without local food, what sort of future do we leave ourselves open to in an increasingly unstable world?
If Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and its impact on global food prices have taught us anything, it is the critical importance of strengthening, not undermining, our food security.
You may not be a farmer, but if you value local produce then I urge you to support the Ulster Farmers’ Union rally on Monday evening at the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park.
A strong turnout will send a clear message to the government, reflecting not only the concerns of farmers but also the wider society they serve. My colleagues Emma Little-Pengelly MLA and Carla Lockhart MP will both support the event as part of a cross-party, united political voice on this issue. Carla is also co-ordinating a joint letter from Northern Ireland’s Westminster representatives to the Chancellor.
