This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7066971.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rural land tax 'being considered' Farmers oppose land tax proposal
(about 4 hours later)
The Department of Finance is considering the introduction of a tax on agricultural land, an SDLP assembly member has said. The Ulster Farmers Union has said it would be "completely opposed" to the introduction of a tax on agricultural land in Northern Ireland.
Declan O'Loan said he made the discovery after he submitted a written question on the issue. SDLP assembly member Declan O'Loan said he learned the Department of Finance is considering the move after he submitted a written question on the issue.
He said it would be of great concern to rural communities. UFU president Kenneth Sharkey said farmers would be put at a disadvantage.
He said the union had contacted the Department of Finance and Personnel to make its views known.
"This can only be described as a very crude proposal to raise more money for the Northern Ireland government and it is an idea that we would be completely opposed to.
"Northern Ireland needs a fair rating system and it would be completely unfair to single out farmers and land owners in an attempt to raise more finances.
"This policy is not in place in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland," Mr Sharkey said.
Mr O'Loan said it would be of great concern to rural communities.
"This is no small thing - it would be huge and be seen as a very, very threatening issue by the agricultural and rural sector," Mr O'Loan said."This is no small thing - it would be huge and be seen as a very, very threatening issue by the agricultural and rural sector," Mr O'Loan said.
"I think that might not be full appreciated by those who live in city and urban environments.""I think that might not be full appreciated by those who live in city and urban environments."