Tenant Farming Commissioner ready to face challenges head-on

Alan Laidlaw, the newly appointed Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England, says he is not afraid of being “both popular and unpopular” if it means overall improvements to the tenanted sector.

Speaking publicly for the first time in his role at the NFU Tenant Farmers Conference at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern on 23 October, Mr Laidlaw outlined his priorities as to engage, influence, and investigate.

“I have chosen to go for this role. I have had a conversation with Defra about how it will work, and I am comfortable about the parameters I have been given in order to do my job,” he said.

See also: Alan Laidlaw confirmed as England’s tenant farming commissioner

Mr Laidlaw added that he “doesn’t give a monkeys” if that means upsetting either institutional landlords or tenants, if having those tough conversations benefits the tenanted sector as a whole.

The Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England will be used by the commissioner’s office to help settle disputes between tenants, landlords and third parties such as land agents.

But Mr Laidlaw said his primary role was promoting and encouraging collaboration and positive relationships between landlords and tenants, by establishing dialogue between stakeholders.

Tenants policy 

He also made it clear that the role of commissioner was not a policy role, but he would have a direct line to Defra to feed back what was happening on the ground, which could help influence policymakers.

“We also want to establish a recognition as an impartial and confidential point of contact for any concerns,” said Mr Laidlaw.

Tenant farmers are able to engage with the commissioner through both formal and informal channels.

This will give farmers the option to raise initial queries confidentially and also lodge more official complaints.

NFU deputy president David Exwood said: “It’s clear that for the 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.”

Mr Exwood told Farmers Weekly that he was pleased to see the commissioner attend the NFU event and not shy away from some of the difficult topics, despite being in post for just 16 days.

“He was very clear that he was up for the conversation,” he said.