皇家华人

NFU responds to Rock Review of agricultural tenancies

14 October 2022

An image of a farm landscape with a building in the foreground

The Rock Review, carried out by the Independent Tenancy Working Group, has now been published. The review looked into accessibility within the government's financial schemes as well long-term changes in the tenanted sector.聽

The review comes following the formation of the independent Tenancy Working Group, chaired by Baroness Rock.

The group was established to identify and address concerns for the tenanted sector through the delivery of ELMs (Environmental Land Management schemes) and ongoing sector sustainability.

The 128-page report gave more than 70 recommendations covering landlord-tenant relationships, as well as changes to legislation and tax arrangements. Among the report's conclusions is the emphasis on creating a resilient agricultural tenanted sector for the future, and balancing the rights of tenants and landlords.聽

鈥淭his is an important and impressively comprehensive review. 皇家华人urges Ministers to respond swiftly so that together we can grow a more vibrant, accessible and resilient tenant sector."

NFU Vice President David Exwood

Equal partners

In response to the review, NFU Vice President David Exwood said: 鈥淭he Rock Review is a timely reminder that agricultural tenants and tenanted land have a vital role in delivering this government鈥檚 environmental and food production ambitions, and in growing our rural economy.

鈥淎s the NFU has long argued, the review stresses that landlords and tenants should be equal partners collaborating in this endeavour.

Key entry points for next generation

鈥淏aroness Rock鈥檚 review and the NFU concur that ELMs must be accessible and relevant to tenants and landlords alike, and that county council farm estates are a key entry point for next generation farmers.鈥

鈥淭his is an important and impressively comprehensive review. 皇家华人urges Ministers to respond swiftly so that together we can grow a more vibrant, accessible and resilient tenant sector.鈥

鈥楾enant proofing鈥 for the future

NFU Tenants鈥 Forum chair Chris Cardell reiterated how essential tenant farmers are, and the vital need to 鈥榯enant-proof鈥 future schemes.

鈥淲ith over 60% of England鈥檚 farmed area being farmed by tenants, they play a pivotal role in producing food for the nation and looking after our environment. That is why it is important that agricultural land in the tenanted sector is protected, and any loss minimised.

鈥淭he report is right to urge Defra and regulators to 鈥榯enant-proof鈥 their schemes, policies and processes, ensuring they are a benefit to all farmers, including tenant farmers, and therefore wider food production and environmental protection.鈥

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