“Extreme weather, price volatility, the family farm tax and uncertainty around future environmental schemes, particularly for those in the uplands, has left many tenants feeling vulnerable and low in confidence.
“These factors are making it extremely difficult for tenant farmers to plan, invest and maintain business viability, leading to frustration and a desire for more support and clarity from government.”
Fostering collaboration
David was also joined on farm by Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds, who described the new Commissioner as “uniquely placed to strengthen relationships and drive-up standards across the sector”.
She added: “This appointment will provide an impartial voice between tenants and landowners to promote best practice and foster fair, collaborative relationships as we deliver on our Plan for Change to back farmers and build a sustainable future.”
The visit also provided an opportunity to further raise concerns around the impact of the inheritance tax proposals on family farms and the importance of a secure, domestic food supply.
“Farm visits are one of the best ways we can lobby and demonstrate the impact that government decisions can have on the ground,” David said. “I outlined the urgent need for government to champion and back British farming and invest in our sector to allow farmers and growers to produce more food, deliver on the government’s environmental ambitions and grow their businesses.”
Unambiguous directives key to success
Since the formation of the role, the NFU has been clear in what it wants to see from the new Commissioner. David said the role “must be fiercely independent and without bias to landlords or tenants, working alongside the Code of Practice and the Farm Tenancy Forum with clear guidelines in place to define exactly what can or cannot be done and at what stage to become involved in disputes”.
“These are the clear tests on whether this appointment will be deemed a success,” he stressed.
“We look forward to working with Alan to ensure we have a resilient and fair tenanted sector in England, where tenant farmers are producing food, while driving economic growth, and delivering the government’s environmental ambitions.”