The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has confirmed it will participate in the ‘Pancake Day Rally’ in London next month, in the next phase of protests against the UK government’s inheritance tax proposals.
The protest is being organised by Save British Farming, with additional support coming from the National Farming Union, who are assisting rally organisers with publicity and also by encouraging their members to attend.
The event, due to take place on Tuesday, March 4, has been described as a “march”, with protesters being advised to attend on foot, without machinery or livestock in tow.
The march is expected to take place from Richmond Place at 12:00pm, before moving through Trafalgar Square, Northumberland Avenue, down The Embankment and then in to Parliament Square, before concluding at 3:00pm back at Whitehall.
Members of Parliament will be invited to attend the march and “enjoy a pancake” with protesters, in an effort to show the true cost of its ingredients.
Pancake Day Rally
UFU president, William Irvine said: “The strength and resilience of our farming community will be momentous on Pancake Day Rally”.
According to Irvine the UK government’s treasury “did their very best to put the inheritance tax matter to bed” during a recent meeting by “dismissing the facts that we presented on the impact the changes would have on NI and the UK as a whole”.
He added: “Everyone was left in disbelief by the outcome, but we dust ourselves off and go again. This fight is anything but over.
“In London on March 4, we will stand stronger, taller and louder, mustering every bit of strength and power we have as a collective.
“The Labour government will see it for themselves, no NI farmer is going to sit back and let another individual dismantle their farm. It doesn’t matter who they are. We are not rolling over.”
The UFU has also confirmed that its representatives will attend the NFU Conference in London on February 25 to ensure that NI farmers remain at the core of discussions on the future of UK agriculture.
The conference will provide a key opportunity to engage with industry leaders, policymakers and fellow farming unions, reinforcing the position of local farmers on the inheritance tax changes and building momentum ahead of the rally on March 4.
Irvine believes that it is vital that NI farmers stand together with other farmers in the UK “as a united force, determined to make a difference”.
He said it is crucial for the future of farming that they can show the government what the UK people want and as country that it “supports and protects local food production and farming”
“The ironic thing is, no one in society wins if the proposed changes to inheritance tax go ahead.
“Evidence shows that the funding generated by the inheritance tax changes would only pay for 19 hours of NHS services and we’ll have less availability of fresh, sustainable food because these changes will destroy our ability to produce local, nutritious produce, having a profound impact on our health.
“Do the government see this as a better outcome than admitting that their analysis on the impact of the inheritance tax proposals are wrong? I urge all UFU members and members of the public who can attend, to join us in London on 4 March,” the UFU president added.
