The UK government has launched a Call for Evidence to explore the proposal for a tenant farming commissioner and to encourage more collaborative tenant-landlord and advisor relationships.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said that the Call for Evidence will build on “important insights” from the Rock Review, by seeking industry views on the extent of poor practice in the sector.
It will run for 12 weeks from today (Thursday, November 16), until Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Industry trade organisations and professional bodies representing the views and interests of tenant farmers, landlords and professional advisors, as well as sector experts who have insights and experience within the industry, are invited to respond.
The Call for Evidence will also gather evidence on whether existing ways to register complaints in the industry are effective in addressing poor practice.
It will examine the potential role of an independent tenant farming commissioner, who would provide more scrutiny of conduct in the sector, and promote codes of good practice.
Farming Minister, Mark Spencer said:
“Tenant farmers are at the heart of our rural economy.
“We’ve made significant progress in delivering our response to the Rock Review, including making our Environment Land Management schemes more accessible to tenant farmers; and will continue to work closely with tenants, landlords and the wider industry to drive further positive change.
“The Call for Evidence is a further important step forward in achieving this, and I encourage farmers, landlords and advisors to express their views to their relevant trade body, to make sure experiences from all parts of the sector are heard.”
