Debate contribution: Agricultural Relief

Debate contribution by Mrs Linda Dillon on 2 December 2025.

MLA: Mrs Linda Dillon
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 2 December 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Agricultural Relief
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5271956

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. To be fair, I have no doubt about the work that you, Minister, are doing in relation to this. However, farmers are really concerned. I met the Ulster Farmers' Union last week, and I know that there were meetings last week at which farmers raised their concerns about the issue. They are making comparisons with the South of Ireland. It is becoming more and more apparent that the British Government have absolutely no understanding of what it means to be a farmer or have a family farm in the North or anywhere on this island. Given the widening gap in the property relief thresholds, which is causing the agri-food industry grave concern, as, I am sure, you are well aware, and for the long-term sustainability of farming, does the Minister believe that the comparisons being drawn with the protections available in the South — has the Minister assessed how the North/South divide on this island and on inheritance tax is causing farmers to question where their long-term economic interests will be protected —

180 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 2806/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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