An Ulster Unionist peer has called for a sustained campaign against the "draconian" budget on agricultural property relief of inheritance tax.

Tom Elliott urged the farming unions, agriculture lobbyists, and farmers to look towards a campaign beyond the events at the Eikon Centre and in London to push for change.

Lord Elliott said: “We need to ensure that farmers are aware that the recent Chancellor’s decisions will not be overturned by these two days of events alone, change will only happen by a sustained campaign by the farming unions, agri lobby groups and the farmers themselves, with the support of the wider public."

He highlighted the importance of presenting the government with feasible alternatives to the proposed budget.

Lord Elliott suggested that these alternatives could include increasing the starting threshold for tax liability and using the active farmer criteria to negate tax obligation.

He said: "These are only some options that could be presented as alternatives to government, I’m sure many more will be on the table before this campaign is complete.”

The peer also acknowledged plans for action by Welsh farmers at the Welsh Labour Conference, stating that a sustained campaign would be necessary to bring about change.

He cautioned that this effort could be required for an extended period.