Lines of tractors took to roads across Northern Ireland on Saturday to protest against proposed changes to inheritance tax rules.
Seven protest runs took place across all six counties, organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), including two in Co Down.
It was part of a nationwide effort across the UK led by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) against changes to agricultural and business property relief in advance of the British government’s spring statement in March.
Lines of tractors arrived at the site of the former Maze prison on Saturday to take part in the two Co Down routes, many bearing posters which read “Save Our Family Farms” and UFU flags.
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They left to cover two routes, one along the busy A1 road to Banbridge, and the other to Saintfield. Processions also took place in counties Armagh, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry.
Speaking to the PA news agency at the Maze site, UFU chief executive Wesley Aston said they were stepping up their action after a protest event at the same place in November. He said the new rules the government is proposing on inheritance tax will mean huge bills for the next generation of farmers, which will risk the viability of family farms in the future.
“This is another step to highlight the concern we have and let the general public know how impactful this will be, not only to farmers but food security going forward,” he said.
“We are doing our bit in Northern Ireland but this is part of a UK-wide activity and plan of action so that the government will actually start engaging with us as farmers to look at this issue.”
He said they want to send a strong message to the government that this is a huge issue for the farming community.
He said future action will be taken if deemed necessary.
[ Farmers have a point - if only they could make it more reasonablyOpens in new window ]
Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister was at the Co Antrim tractor run and praised the turnout.
“It was marvellous to see the huge turnouts at today’s farmers’ protest over the government’s punitive death tax on family farms,” he said. “I attended the Ballymena protest in which over 300 tractors took part. It was great to see the determination among farmers to keep the pressure on the government over this vital issue.
“I will continue the fight on their behalf despite the size of the Government’s majority, believing that in the end this ruinous policy is unsustainable.
“With farmers united across the United Kingdom on the issue, the government must be made to continue to feel the pressure until they retreat from burying family farms under the weight of their greedy death taxes.”
