Delegates at the NFU Tenant Farmers' Conference heard from a number of high-profile speakers including recently appointed Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector, Alan Laidlaw, who outlined his role as being one of engaging with and influencing the sector and being solution-driven, as well as developing a case handling process.
Reflecting on a varied agenda focused on ‘unlocking growth’, NFU Deputy President David Exwood said the conference came at a critical juncture for “some of the most dynamic and progressive farmers in Britain”.
“Above all, we need policies that will help build resilience, profitability and productivity in the tenanted sector and allow farmers to invest”
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
It was, he said, “still an exciting time to be a farmer” and tenants could rightly look to market opportunities at home, to providing quality exports for a growing world population, and to potentially game-changing technologies. But he added that the past year had seen them taking huge risks against their capital, buffeted by wider uncertainties that have impacted both farm business bottom lines and landowner thinking.
“Extreme weather, price volatility, inheritance tax changes, the impact of green markets and uncertainty around the future of environmental schemes have left many tenants with real cash flow concerns,” David said.
Adapting and innovating
During the afternoon session, three NFU tenant farmer members, Sam Bailey who farms in Staffordshire, Andrew Baxter from Worcestershire and Monmouthshire farmer Gary Yeomans, shared their experiences of overcoming the challenges they have faced in the sector and discussed ways of adapting and innovating farming businesses.
Pictured L-R: Andrew Baxter, Worcestershire farmer, Gary Yeomans, Monmouthshire farmer, Sam Bailey, Staffordshire farmer, David Exwood, NFU Deputy President. Photograph: Exposure Photography
He may have been just 16 days into the job, but the tough outlook meant there was keen interest in the thoughts of Alan Laidlaw, the recently-appointed Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England.
This independent role was a key recommendation within the Rock Review and will be crucial for improving fairness and collaboration across the agricultural tenancy sector.
The role, which is set to champion tenant farmers and promote stronger relationships in the sector, has been established to promote the standards set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice.
Pictured: Alan Laidlaw. Photograph: Exposure Photography
Mr Laidlaw was eager not to set too many hares running and said his current team of “two-and-a-half people” would look to engage and influence within the sector and then investigate specific complaints – in that order.
He set out his stall as an even-handed arbiter who would champion good practice against the new code of practice from landlords and tenants alike and never “talk down” the sector. He said he would act as a focal point in dialogue with government bodies, institutional landlords and anyone else impacting its relationships.
“I’m a really simple person, I genuinely believe that a landlord-tenant relationship that is positive and constructive can have value for both,” he said.
The role is without statutory powers, at least for now, and direct policy making is not within its scope, but there were hints the ‘soft power’ approach would also have some steel to it.
“Ultimately, I’ve got a direct line into the director of the agri-food chain directorate in Defra,” Mr Laidlaw said. “I’ve chosen to go for this role. I’ve had a conversation about how it will work. I'm comfortable about the parameters and I know that I’m going to have to be both popular and unpopular. But I can only go on what you feed into me.”
Supporting the next generation
David Exwood added: “It’s clear that for sector to succeed, Commissioner Laidlaw must remain fiercely independent, listen to tenant farmers and ensure we are fully consulted, help strengthen relationships between farmers and landowners and encourage responsible behaviour on all sides.
“We must also work hard to ensure new entrants, who find it difficult to break into the industry, are able to get on to the farming ladder with improved tenancy agreements, better access to finance and fit for purpose networks of county farms.
“Above all, we need policies that will help build resilience, profitability and productivity in the tenanted sector and allow farmers to invest. This will ensure we can continue producing sustainable climate-friendly food, while driving economic growth and delivering the government’s environmental ambitions.”
NFU offer for tenants
What is on offer for tenants from the NFU?
The Tenants’ First Advice Service is available giving up to £600 towards agents’ advice regarding rents especially when a review is being carried out.
If any of you are entering into a new tenancy agreement please use our contract checking service available via our Legal Assistance Scheme and Legal Panel Firms.
