The 2026 Autumn Budget is an opportunity for the Government to deliver A Budget To
Back Farming.
Farm businesses across Northern Ireland want to invest. They want to improve
productivity, strengthen resilience, modernise infrastructure, support the next
generation, and continue to produce high-quality food. But investment in their farm
business depends on confidence, and confidence depends on having a tax, funding,
and regulatory environment that recognises the realities of running a farm business.
In recent years, farmers have faced substantial increases to input costs, major
changes to taxation, rising labour costs, and growing regulatory demands. At the same
time, they are being asked to invest more in environmental improvement, animal
welfare, infrastructure, and long-term business resilience. Government policy must
work to enable that investment, rather than make it more difficult.
This submission sets out a practical package of measures that would help do exactly
that. From reversing the changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property
Relief, to improving capital allowances, protecting agricultural funding, supporting
affordable fuel and labour costs, and creating stronger incentives for long-term
investment, these proposals are designed to give farmers greater certainty and
confidence.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union believes this Budget should mark a reset in the relationship
between the Government and agriculture. Farmers are ready to invest in their
business, their families and the future of food production, but they need the
Government to provide the conditions to make that investment possible.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor now have an opportunity to demonstrate that
agriculture and our rural businesses are valued, that family farms are integral to the
Government’s economic growth agenda, that food security is national security, and
that they are prepared to back those who produce our nation’s food, in all four nations.
This should be A Budget To Back Farming.
John McLenaghan
President
Ulster Farmers’ Union
