The Government has reaffirmed its support for a thriving tenant
farming sector by committing to appoint the country's first
Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England.
A third of all farmland is managed by tenant farmers and ensuring
the sector thrives is an essential step in delivering food
security, meeting environmental objectives and boosting rural
economic growth.
The appointment of a Commissioner has long been called for by the
tenant farming sector and was a key recommendation of the
independent Rock Review. The Commissioner's role will be to
improve collaboration between tenant farmers, landowners and
their advisors. They will help ensure fairness in the
sector, investigating and facilitating solutions to complaints.
They will hold an important leadership and advocacy role,
providing a trusted and confidential point of contact for
tenants, landlords or advisors who have concerns about poor
behaviour.
Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister said:
Food security is national security – and tenant farmers are
essential to our country's food production.
That is why I am delighted to confirm that this Government will
appoint a Commissioner to advocate for the Tenant Farming Sector.
I look forward to working alongside our new Commissioner,
tenants, landlords and the wider industry to boost Britain's food
security and support nature's recovery.
The Commissioner will promote the standards outlined in the
Agricultural Landlord and Tenant
Code of Practice and will work alongside Defra and the Farm
Tenancy Forum to ensure a fair, balanced and collaborative
relationship between tenant and landowner.
The Commissioner will work closely with the Forum providing
regular reports and updates and will track trends and issues
providing advice and guidance on how to improve practice in the
sector for industry and government to consider. The impact of the
Commissioner role will be reviewed after two years in
consultation with the Farm Tenancy Forum to assess effectiveness
and inform future developments.
The Commissioner will be appointed through an open competition
process with the aim of making an appointment by Spring next
year.
The government is committed to a thriving tenant sector and as
part of this Environmental Land Management schemes will be
optimised to benefit farmers, food security and the environment,
especially for those that are too often ignored such as those
working on or managing tenanted farms.
The announcement follows the government's commitment to invest £5
billion into the farming budget over two years at the Budget last
week – the largest ever directed at sustainable food production
and nature's recovery in our country's history.
Alongside this, the government also announced £60 million through
the Farming Recovery Fund to support farmers affected by
unprecedented extreme wet weather last winter and £208 million to
protect the nation from disease outbreaks that can threaten our
farming industry, food security and human health.
