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.
“This is an important and impressively comprehensive review. The NFU 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: “The Rock Review is a timely reminder that agricultural tenants and tenanted land have a vital role in delivering this government’s environmental and food production ambitions, and in growing our rural economy.
“As 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
“Baroness Rock’s 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.”
“This is an important and impressively comprehensive review. The NFU urges Ministers to respond swiftly so that together we can grow a more vibrant, accessible and resilient tenant sector.”
‘Tenant proofing’ for the future
NFU Tenants’ Forum chair Chris Cardell reiterated how essential tenant farmers are, and the vital need to ‘tenant-proof’ future schemes.
“With over 60% of England’s 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.
“The report is right to urge Defra and regulators to ‘tenant-proof’ their schemes, policies and processes, ensuring they are a benefit to all farmers, including tenant farmers, and therefore wider food production and environmental protection.”
