‘Stop the Family Farm Tax’ rally to take place today

HUNDREDS of farmers from across West Tyrone are expected to take to the roads today as part of a UK-wide protest against controversial changes to inheritance tax.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is holding seven tractor runs across Northern Ireland in protest against the inheritance tax changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief.

An estimated 400 tractors are expected to take part in the Co Tyrone protest, which is being held in Omagh, beginning at Omagh Auction Mart on Gillygooley Road, with farming families from across Strabane and district expected to attend in large numbers.

A rally will be held in each of the Northern Ireland's six counties while NFU, NFU Scotland and NFU Cymru are also holding events in their regions on the same day in a solid display of unity and strength.

The UFU has strongly criticised the government's plans to impose inheritance tax on UK farms worth more than £1 million, with a 20 per cent rate on assets above that threshold.

The union has warned that around half of all farms could be impacted by the proposed changes, which have been introduced by Labour in a bid to plug a £22bn hole in public finances.

The reforms of the agricultural property relief policy - which currently means farmland is exempt from inheritance tax - are due to come into force in April 2026, and have sparked protests by farmers across the UK.

Ahead of Saturday's protest action, the UFU said: "We are urging all members of the farming community to join the fight against the family farm tax.

"This is our opportunity to unite and make a lasting impact. All tractors, pick-ups and lorries welcome."

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA., Declan McAleer, called on farmers to join this weekend's protest.

Speaking ahead of the protest, the party's agriculture spokesperson said: "I am encouraging all farmers across the north to attend the protest this Saturday against the British government's proposed changes to inheritance tax, which threaten the future of family farms and rural communities.

"These plans would place an unbearable financial burden on farming families, forcing the sale of inherited land to cover tax bills and jeopardising the generational transfer of farms that are the backbone of our agricultural industry.

"Family farms are not only vital to our economy but also to our way of life, heritage, and food security.

"This protest is a chance for us to send a strong, united message that these proposals are unacceptable and will have devastating consequences for our rural economy.

"I stand firmly with the farming community in opposition to the British government's tax on family farms and we encourage everyone who cares about the future of agriculture to make their voice heard this Saturday."

Registration for the Tyrone protest is from 12.30pm, with the tractors leaving the start point at 2pm.

The route for the protest is as follows: Gillygooley Road, Great Northern Road, Doogary Road, Bankmore Road, Donaghanie Road, Hospital Road, Crevenagh Road, Great Northern Road, Gillygooley Road finishing at Omagh Auction Mart.

All proceeds are going towards Rural Support.