Farmers for Action (FFA) spokesperson, William Taylor, is concerned that the current UK government may phase out all UK farm subsidies.
He explained: “We have already had the Chancellor’s decision on inheritance tax, taken last autumn. We also know that the UK is now committed to increase spending on defence.
“My concern is the decision could be taken to re-direct the current farm support budgets in order to meet this new policy objective.”
The Farmers for Action representative is also of the view that any diminution of farm spending at the Westminster level will impact directly on the situation on the ground in Northern Ireland.
He recognised recent statements from Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Adam Muir, indicating that farm spending budgets for Northern Ireland have been ringfenced for the future.
“But this could all change,” Taylor added.
“Minister Muir has not given a specific timeline, where the guarantee of future farm spending in Northern Ireland is concerned.”
FFA also highlighted what it regards as the splintered nature of the support available under Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Agricultural Programme (SAP).
Taylor referred to the monies available under the new Suckler Cow Premium Scheme as “pitiful.”
Meanwhile, FFA remains totally committed to securing a full reversal of the decision taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce the new measure last October.
FFA is fully aligned to the umbrella body, Fairness for Farmers in Europe, which represents a significant number of farm stakeholder organisations operating in the UK and Ireland,
“Four letters have been sent to the chancellor from Fairness for Farmers asking for a meeting to discuss the inheritance tax issue. As of yet, no reply has been received,” Taylor said.
“The fifth item of correspondence will be sent over the coming days.”
Wednesday, March 26 is the date on which the Chancellor of The Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, will deliver her spring financial statement to the House of Commons.
If she has not reversed her decision on inheritance tax by that stage, Fairness for Farmers in Europe will be calling on all UK agricultural businesses to withdraw their produce from the market.
“March 26 represents an appropriate date when the tone and intensity of the farmer campaign to get inheritance tax justice must change,” Taylor explained.
“In practical terms, this means farmers withdrawing their produce from the market. Farmers are furious at the way the inheritance tax change was introduced. The chancellor must be made totally aware of this reality.”
According to Taylor, this form of farmer-protest has worked before. He also recognised that dairy farmers will be in the eye of the storm, having no option but to spread milk not delivered to market as a form of fertiliser.
“We can work through the details of all this with the participating farmers,” the FFA spokesperson further explained.
“Any protest that entails the withdrawal of produce from the market will not kick in until April at the earliest.”
William Taylor points to the UK-wide introduction of a Farm Welfare Bill as being an alternative to the inheritance tax option for the government.
“Guaranteeing fair prices for farmers means that they will make profits in a sustainable manner,” Taylor explained.
“This reality would automatically lift the value of the tax revenues delivered to the Exchequer by production agriculture. In other words, it represents a win-win scenario for farmers, consumers and the government.”
