Robinson tells MEP 'No' to land value taxation
29 November 2007
Jim Allister QC MEP has received a written assurance from Finance Minister Peter Robinson that he will not be recommending the introduction of taxation of agricultural land to the Executive.
The Ulster MEP said,
“In October I wrote to Peter Robinson, alarmed that land value taxation was being considered as an alternative to the current rating system. I insisted that instead of taxing agriculture further, he should be looking at ways of finding additional aid to assist the hard pressed Red Meat and Intensive Pig and Poultry sectors, particularly in light of rising feed costs.”
“By way of response, Mr Robinson has said that a DFP commissioned report has confirmed that a land tax to replace the current domestic and non-domestic rating systems would be out of line with international trends, and extremely difficult to implement, not least in relation to uncertainties around planning.”
Mr Allister has also been informed that DARD will consider redirecting and refocusing resources to take account of the Red Meat Taskforce Findings. In response to this, Mr Allister said,
“The challenges that lie ahead for the Northern Ireland Agri-food industry are great. Europe has recognised this, by enabling Member States to provide assistance under the competitiveness priority of Rural Development funds. I repeat my concerns that DARD’s measly allocation towards increasing the competitiveness of our industry under the new Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme requires very urgent attention.”
