Inheritance tax changes to Agricultural Property Relief took effect this week in the UK, including Northern Ireland. The Ulster Farmers' Union renewed its demand for the UK Government to reverse the family farm tax proposals entirely.

The new rules set a 100 per cent relief threshold at £2.5 million transferable between partners, followed by 50 per cent relief. UFU president William Irvine stated that the original £1 million threshold from the 2024 Autumn Budget would have severely damaged agriculture due to a lack of understanding of farming operations in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

Irvine credited sustained lobbying by the UFU and other UK farming unions, supported by members and industry partners, for modifying the initial proposals. The UFU highlighted Northern Ireland's vulnerability from higher land values, an older farmer demographic, and more sole-owner livestock farms.

The union plans ongoing efforts to address practical issues with the current policy and to secure manifesto pledges from all political parties for its complete removal. Irvine noted that while the position has improved from last year, further work remains necessary.