New rules introduced by the UK government bring a quarter of farms back within inheritance tax, after three decades of being fully exempt. They’re right to be annoyed, but sympathy is waning
New rules introduced by the UK government bring a quarter of farms back within inheritance tax, after three decades of being fully exempt. They’re right to be annoyed, but it’s no wonder sympathy is waning
The Ulster Farmers’ Union organised the rally in co-ordinated action with its counterparts in Britain. Members attended a national protest in London the following day. They have a legitimate grievance: the new rules bring perhaps a quarter of farms back within inheritance tax, after three decades of being fully exempt. Bills for most would still be small and payable in 10 annual interest-free instalments, but farmers can be asset-rich and income poor.
Some farmers have threatened to escalate protests to include blocking roads and withholding supplies from supermarkets. The prospect of convoys of agricultural vehicles bringing the UK to a standstill recalls the 2000 fuel protests by lorry drivers, a “yellow-vest” movement before the French coined the term. British governments remain haunted by this event; fuel duty has scarcely risen since. But farmers cannot count on the same degree of public sympathy.
Stormont combines the agriculture and environment portfolios in one poacher-and-gamekeeper department. Its latest minister, Alliance’s Andrew Muir, has been carefully building up legal and institutional capacity to tighten regulation. Yet he spoke at the Lisburn rally and could hardly have done otherwise. Even the canniest gamekeeper can be ensnared.
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