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A notice of motion, tabled by Cllr Tim McClelland at 25 November Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Borough Council monthly meeting, enjoyed very strong support, as the Tandragee farmer expressed grave concerns that proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief could spell the end of family farming for many.
The notice of motion called on the council to “stand in solidarity with our farming community in opposition to this punitive, unfair and disastrous tax”.
Cllr McClelland (Cusher DEA) introduced his notice of motion as follows: “Before I start, I would just declare an interest as the owner of an arable farming business that is affected by these changes.
“The McClelland family have farmed outside Tandragee since 1801. I’m the sixth generation of our family that is producing food for our nation.
“Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, at the stroke of a pen has put our family business and indeed numerous other family businesses at risk.
“’No land, no farmers, no food’ is how the slogan goes, yet senior ministers in Treasury really don’t seem to care.
“Farmers right across the nation are the custodians of the environment. Without farmers, conservation and biodiversity will suffer. At the stroke of a pen, this Labour Government has imperilled our countryside.”
Cllr McClelland went on to read a poem, penned by his 13-year-old son Nathan, in which he speaks with great fondness of helping his father on the farm, and of how much the farming lifestyle means to him.
The Cusher representative continued: “Nathan is passionate about farming. Rachel Reeves has endangered his livelihood and his career as a farmer. It’s just not fair, and I would appeal for unanimous support for this motion.”
Seconding the motion, Alderman Gareth Wilson (Cusher DEA) stated: “As we’ve heard in the motion, on its own it would be bad enough, but when it’s coupled with all the other attacks on agriculture, it does bring to the issue a renewed sense of urgency, and I would reiterate what Tim has said, he has eloquently put it, bringing his own family into it and what that means for him as a farmer in our own borough.
“It is a call to action. It is a battle that will have to be fought in Westminster as well, and we’ve seen protests there.
“There will need to be a lot more of them to really ram the message home that we can’t destroy our ability to produce food in this fashion, and then import it from other parts of the world.”
Cllr Peter Lavery quoted DAERA figures on the estimated impact of the proposed fiscal changes: “The UK Budget was a bad budget for farmers, and Northern Ireland will be disproportionately affected by the change to Agricultural Property Relief.
“Despite the Chancellor’s assurance that three quarters of claims would be unaffected by these changes, DAERA data suggested that one third of farms here could be impacted, and as many as three quarters of dairy farms.
“We must continue to support and encourage young people to pursue agricultural careers, if we are to retain our thriving agri-food industry.
“Farmers are custodians of our countryside, and family farming is the cornerstone of our agricultural sector. They are essential for food security and play a key role as we transform into a greener, more environmentally-friendly society.”
The Lurgan DEA representative proposed an amendment to the motion, which was carried by a majority of 23 councillors, with 15 voting against.
The amendment stated: “The council calls on the NI Executive to support a ring-fenced budget for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries and rural development within the 2025/26 Budget and beyond.”
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Kyle Savage explained he was concerned for the future viability of his own farm: “Our family farm will also be affected by this. Farmers are the custodians of our countryside.
“We’re doing more than just stock-rearing or growing crops or whatever. We’re looking after the environment as well.
“On our own farm we have planted over 2km of hedgerows, 250 trees have been planted, and the wildlife that has benefited from that over the years has been immense.”
The Lagan River DEA representative suggested an amendment reflecting his concerns over increased national insurance contributions – he cited the example of one particular farmer who would be billed an additional £215,000.
His amendment was seconded by Alderman Gordon Kennedy (Cusher DEA), and unanimously carried.
Cllr Bróna Haughey (Cusher DEA) explained that many farmers in her constituency were greatly concerned: “The decision by the British Government to change the Inheritance Tax Relief for farmers is wrong and is causing undue stress among the farming community here, and especially those that I represent in Cusher.
“The approach of the British Government threatens to undermine the future of many of our family farms. The ability to pass down a family farm from one generation to the next is key to sustaining our farming community, now and into the future.
“These proposals come at a time when many farmers and rural communities are still struggling with the loss of EU funding which, despite assurances, has not been replaced following Brexit.
“The British Government should reconsider their current course of action, and instead they should seek to ensure that reliefs and supports for agriculture are maintained. We’re happy to support the substantive motion.”
Concluding, Cllr McClelland stated: “I think in the almost six years that I’ve been on council, it’s probably been the most agri-farmer focused council meeting that I’ve ever been at, so given what’s going on out there within our farming community, that is very much to be welcomed.
