County Derry farmer says family farm tax is ‘devastating’ for local farmers and the wider community

Lorraine Killen from Newbuildings is a mixed farmer and Ulster Farmers Union Next Generation farmer, she spoke to the County Derry Post about her concerns over family farm tax and its effect on the local community.

Lorraine said: “None of us have a proper clear understanding how this is going to affect us. The only common demonstrator that we do know is that it is not going to be good. We are a big family business who have a lot of strings to our bow but for the ordinary farmer the consequences are devastating.

“There are only two real options and that is either pay the bill or else get out. That is not just going to happen to one person that is going to happen to multiple farms and homes. There is going to be a very steady decline in our local family farms. There is a massive focus on farmers providing food for the nation but the number of people that are involved in working in the industry is incredible. Aside from working on the ground there are so many businesses that actually support farms. This is going to have a ripple effect on them. It is massively concerning. It is going to affect all sectors within our rural communities. It is just massively devastating across the board.”

Mrs Killen continued saying: “For generations, we have poured everything into our farms - every penny, every ounce of effort, and made countless sacrifices. We’ve faced immense challenges, and some of us have endured devastating losses. Yet, we carried on. And now, we stand on the brink of losing it all.

“This entire farming community has been living under a very dark cloud of late. We are struggling to comprehend what this future holds, and we are scared of what it means for our children. Those little ones who follow us around the yard, asking
questions, learning, and dreaming of their own futures in farming - what will we tell them? That they have no choice but to give it all up? That their hopes and dreams have been stolen?

“I refuse to let that happen. Each and every one of us in this room is here because we refuse to let that happen. We will not allow our family farms to be sacrificed to fix Government overspending. We will not allow our farms and livelihoods to
disappear.”

Lorraine continued saying the pride she has for the farming community for coming together on Monday to express their concern.

She said: “I have so much pride for our farming community here in Northern Ireland. We have really come together in this and we are in full support of each other. Regardless of if the farm tax affects us directly or not we pull together. When we need to pull together we really pull tight. We left the rally on Monday all feeling a sense of positivity and hope that there is something positive that can come out of this. I think it’s important to keep the momentum and positivity going to give us all a bit of faith that we have a future in the industry.”

Over 6,000 Northern Ireland farmers and landowners turned out at the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) rally on Monday, November 18 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, demonstrating their unwavering determination to overturn the flawed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

Speaking at the event, UFU president William Irvine said: “The decision we’re facing on APR is nothing short of devastating. It affects everyone, from the youngest child to the eldest member of our community, and it will shape the future of rural NI. This is not a one off hit on our businesses, it will threaten every generation in the future. Politicians and representatives from the Labour Government are here tonight, and they need to hear our message loud and clear, this decision must be overturned.”

Facts were laid out by the UFU president regarding the true impact that the changes to APR will create for farm families, rural communities and the UK’s ability to produce food.

“The government’s claim that ‘£3 million in relief’ will shield us is utterly misleading. They’re talking about APR alone and ignoring Business Property Relief for the stock, machinery, and assets that make our farms run. By twisting the numbers, they paint a picture that 73% of farms won’t be affected. This is not just wrong – it’s deceptive. The Labour Government is out of touch with the realities of farming, and we’re here to put the record straight and let them know that in no uncertain
terms is this acceptable.

“It’s not just our farms on the line. This impacts our food security, the lifeblood of our rural economy, and the very communities we cherish. Retailers are estimating this budget will cost them an additional £100 million. Where do you think they’ll make up for that? Right down the supply chain, on our backs. Rising costs, tight margins, higher wages – it’s all stacking up against us, and it’s unsustainable,” said Mr Irvine.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, Carla Lockhart MP, Jim Allister MP, Claire Sugden MLA, Patsy McGlone MLA, AERA chair Robbie Butler MLA and AERA committee vice chair Declan McAleer MLA spoke at the event, with many more politicians in attendance from all parties.