Thousands of farmers congregated at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, to voice their discontent over proposed changes to inheritance tax. This protest was organized by the Ulster Farmers’ Union and attracted not only farmers but also politicians and agricultural leaders who are worried about the impact of the new tax structure on family farming enterprises.
The focal point of the rally was the recently announced cap of £1 million on Agricultural Property Relief (APR) from inheritance tax, a decision made in the latest budget. Farmers argue that this change will significantly hinder the ability of the next generation to inherit and manage family farms. They are concerned that such tax burdens will deter young people from entering the family business, leading to a decline in local agriculture.
This rally took place a day before a much larger national protest planned in London. The growing unrest within the farming community has compelled politicians from across Northern Ireland to express their concerns. A letter signed by all of Northern Ireland’s MPs was sent to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging her to reconsider the changes to the APR, which traditionally allowed farmland to be passed down from parent to child with reduced tax liability.
Farmers like Martin Cunningham, who dreams of inheriting his family’s farm in the scenic Belfast Hills, articulated the emotional and financial strain the new tax policy would create. Cunningham emphasized that he would face an exorbitant tax bill if he were to inherit his family’s land, which could cross over the £200,000 threshold due to property value assessments. “If this farm’s handed down to me, I’ll have an incredible tax bill to pay,” he lamented.
The mechanics of inheritance tax as it stands since 1984 allow for agricultural properties, including land and buildings, to be exempt from taxes upon transfer. However, from April 2026, only the first £1 million of such estates will qualify for this exemption, with a 20% tax rate imposed on anything beyond that. This change has been projected to affect a significant portion of farmers in Northern Ireland—the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs estimates that approximately one-third may face severe consequences, with particularly adverse effects expected in the dairy farming sector.
Across the farming community, there is palpable anxiety. Comments made by farmers like Ian Buchannan from Dungiven highlight the grim reality of agricultural profit margins and the pressing mental stress facing many in the profession. Buchannan expressed his fear that the modifications to the tax structure might effectively become “the final straw that has broken the camel’s back” for many struggling farmers.
Buchannan explained that farming does not generally yield high profits; rather, many farms rely heavily on government subsidies. A staggering 60% to 80% of farm income over the past decade in Northern Ireland has originated from these subsidies, emphasizing the precarious nature of agricultural viability in the region. This is compounded by the prevailing structure whereby farms are typically handed down to succeeding generations rather than sold, thus rooting them deeper into the familial lineage.
As farmers prepare for their rally in London, calling for the Chancellor to withdraw the changes, the Treasury has already dismissed attempts to amend the proposed tax implications for the agricultural sector. The deliberations around inheritance tax reform continue to take center stage, serving as a critical issue for the farming community in Northern Ireland and beyond.
In summary, the protests highlight a crucial turning point for family-owned farms, the sustainability of agricultural practices in the region, and the enduring legacy of farming traditions. The farmers’ collective voice aims to challenge policymakers to rethink the financial pressures placed upon them, in hopes of preserving their way of life and safeguarding the future of agriculture in Northern Ireland.
