Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has called on farmers to join this weekend’s protest against the British government’s farm inheritance tax proposals which will damage family farms.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has planned seven ‘tractor runs’ throughout the north on Saturday, 25 January to voice concerns about these plans.

Speaking ahead of the protest, the party’s agriculture spokesperson said:

“I am encouraging all farmers across the north to attend the protest this Saturday against the British government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax, which threaten the future of family farms and rural communities.

“These plans would place an unbearable financial burden on farming families, forcing the sale of inherited land to cover tax bills and jeopardising the generational transfer of farms that are the backbone of our agricultural industry.

“Family farms are not only vital to our economy but also to our way of life, heritage, and food security. 

“This protest is a chance for us to send a strong, united message that these proposals are unacceptable and will have devastating consequences for our rural economy.

“I stand firmly with the farming community in opposition to the British government’s tax on family farms and we encourage everyone who cares about the future of agriculture to make their voice heard this Saturday.”

– Information on the UFU event can be found here: https://www.ufuni.org/ufu-tractor-rally-routes/