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Tenants kept out of flagship schemes

- 15 February 2001
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15 February 2001



Tenants kept out of flagship schemes

By FWi staff

FLAGSHIP agri-environment and rural development schemes are not benefiting tenant farmers, says the leader of the sectors producers.

Tenant Farmers Association chairman Reg Haydon said tenancy contract terms can exclude tenants from initiatives such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

“Many tenants would be unable to take part in those schemes,” Mr Haydon told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.

“There are clauses in their agreements which preclude them from doing anything else but agriculture without the landlords permission.

“And that is not always forthcoming.”

The TFA, which holds its annual general meeting in London on Thursday (15 February) is also concerned about the trap of fixed three-year rent levels.

Tenants have faced hardship in recent years as rents remained static while margins have been squeezed by falling produce prices.

Mr Haydon told Farming Today that campaigning had helped secure reductions of up to 30% in recent reviews.

The TFA was also pleased that the Government has agreed to a review of the 1995 Agriculture Tenancies Act.

While the act had increased the sector acreage, it offered little help to new entrants, who were usually outbid by large owner-occupiers, said Mr Haydon.

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