The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has said that there must not
be any let-up on the progress of reform for the tenanted sector
of agriculture into the New Year.
TFA National Chair, , said “We continue to be
eternally grateful to Baroness for providing such a
comprehensive blueprint for delivering a thriving agricultural
tenanted sector in her October 2022 report following her review
of the sector. TFA is continuing to press for her recommendations
to be implemented and we are slowly but surely making good
progress in doing so.”
The establishment of the Rock Review into agricultural tenancies
followed extensive lobbying by the TFA leading up to the
introduction of the Agriculture Act 2020. On the back of a strong
lobby, the previous Conservative DEFRA Secretary of State, , saw the need for such a
review. However, the recommendations of Baroness Rock's report
are non-party political and did have the support of Labour in
opposition and should therefore continue to have support now that
the Party is in Government.
“It is no exaggeration to say that without TFA lobbying there
would have been no Rock Review and without is continuing pressure
on both the previous and current administrations, the report of
the Rock Review would now be gathering dust on Whitehall shelves.
Instead, we have seen great progress not least with the
development of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the
establishment of the Farm Tenancy Forum, the introduction of a
new landlord and tenant code of practice and the recent
announcement of the forthcoming appointment of a Tenant Farming
Commissioner,” said Mr Martin.
“The agreement to create the role of Tenant Farming Commissioner
is a strong indication of the importance of the tenanted sector
of agriculture which covers 30% of the farmed area of the
country. It brings together those who hold land with those who
have the entrepreneurial flair to make a success of farming that
land, provides liquidity to the land market and offers
opportunity for new entrants and progressive farmers. The TFA
will be making sure that this appointment does get over the line
in the New Year and we are looking forward to working with
whoever the Government brings into that very important post for
our sector,” said Mr Martin.
There is much more which remains to be delivered from the Rock
Review, including a Law Commission review into necessary
legislative changes, further development of Government schemes to
align with the principles of landlord tenant agreements, reform
of the taxation environment within which decisions to let land
are made by landlords and to ensure that private markets for
natural capital work in harmony with landlord tenant agreements
rather than undermining security of tenure.
“Beyond the appointment of the Tenant Farming Commissioner the
most immediate issue that needs to be addressed is in respect of
taxation particularly in light of the decisions made by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of the October Budget. The
TFA understands the objective of the Government in wanting to
deny wealthy individuals easy routes to avoid their fair share of
paying tax, but the measures announced will not achieve that
objective and will have unintended consequences not least for the
tenanted sector of agriculture. The TFA remains in close
consultation with the Government to encourage it to make
necessary changes to the announcement that it has made including,
amongst other things, allowing landlords letting for the longest
terms to continue to have Inheritance Tax relief,” said Mr
Martin.
“The TFA is the only organisation dedicated to the interests of
those who farm land that they do not own. There is a whole raft
of regulatory, policy and market situations which impact the let
sector differently to those who own and manage their own land.
The TFA will continue to be at the forefront of advocating on
behalf of the sector and those who operate within it,” said Mr
Martin.
