The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has cautiously welcomed the appointment of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, urging the new Government to rebuild trust with farming families by reversing the changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.
UFU president John McLenaghan said, “We congratulate the Prime Minister on his appointment. He now has an opportunity to reset the Government’s relationship with agriculture, but that must begin with meaningful action.
“The inheritance tax changes continue to threaten the future of many family farms across Northern Ireland. At a time when food security must be regarded as national security, the Government should be supporting the farm businesses that produce our food, not introducing policies that jeopardise their future. December’s partial U-turn, following intense UFU lobbying alongside the other UK farming unions, was welcome, but it did not go far enough. A full reversal remains absolutely necessary.”
The UFU also congratulated John Healey on becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dame Angela Eagle on her appointment as DEFRA Secretary and Sir Chris Bryant on becoming Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Mr McLenaghan said, “The UFU will be seeking early engagement with the new administration to ensure Northern Ireland farmers are heard from the outset. Emma Reynolds, as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will also have an important role in the ongoing Northern Ireland budget negotiations. Having met Ms Reynolds at Balmoral Show, we are hopeful that she will champion agriculture in her new brief.
“We also warmly welcome Sir Chris Bryant to the role of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and look forward to working constructively with him on the issues affecting farming and rural communities.”
“We also want to place on record our thanks to Hilary Benn for his service as Secretary of State. He showed a strong willingness to engage with the UFU, listen directly to farmers and understand the pressures facing Northern Ireland agriculture. We appreciated his accessibility and constructive approach and wish him well for the future.”
Mr McLenaghan added, “Farm businesses need political stability and confidence to invest. What they do not need are poorly considered policies, including inheritance tax changes or a land value tax, which could have devastating consequences for family farms.”
“The new Government must act quickly and reverse the inheritance tax changes in full.”
The UFU looks forward to engaging with ministers and officials across government on the range of issues affecting Northern Ireland agriculture but stressed that resolving the inheritance tax issue will remain its immediate priority.