Farmers are to hold tractor rallies in each of the north’s six counties as part of UK-wide protests over changes to rules on agricultural inheritance tax.
The tractor runs are being organised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), and will take place on Saturday January 25.
The British government has announced plans to impose inheritance tax on UK farms worth over £1 million, with a 20% rate on assets above that threshold.
The proposals have sparked protests in Britain, including in London, where farmers from the north joined thousands at a rally opposing the changes last month.
Labour has said it is introducing the changes in a bid to plug a £22bn hole in public finances, and has claimed most farms will not be affected under the new rules.
However, opponents warn the changes could threaten family farms and even impact food production.
Data from Stormont’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has revealed up to half of all family farms in the north could be affected by the proposals.
DAERA minister Andrew Muir has said Northern Ireland will be “disproportionately impacted” as a result.
UFU president William Irvine said the upcoming tractor runs were part of the union “stepping up our efforts” to overturn the proposed changes.
“I urge our UFU members to participate in their local rally and be part of this collective effort,” he said.
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“Almost half of NI family farms could be affected...and we must make it crystal clear to the Labour government that we are not backing down on this issue. These rallies are simply the next step, with more action to follow in the lead up to the (government’s) spring statement.
“Government need to take a long hard look at what they are on the brink of doing and fully grasp the consequences of what the changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will do, not only to UK farming, but to UK society.”
He added: “NI produces enough food to feed over ten million people, six million of whom are in Britain and we export local produce to the Republic of Ireland and beyond. The family farm tax as it stands will destroy our agri-food industry, everything we have built up over decades.”
