The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has called for other Rock Review recommendations to be taken forward, including the creation of a tenant farming commissioner.
The union welcomed the launch of the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice yesterday (Monday, April 8), and said a tenant farming commissioner could take up non-compliance with the code.
NFU deputy president David Exwood said: “A code of practice to help foster fairness, communication and good practice between landlords, tenants and agents is a really good start.
“It is something that we have been campaigning on for several years and will address poor conduct, whilst highlighting good practice.
“With 60% of NFU farm businesses being tenants, it was really important that tenant farmers’ views were well represented in the development of the code to help produce a standard that works for everyone.”
Exwood encouraged all tenants, landlords and their professional advisers to “embrace the code” and its key principles of clarity, communication and collaboration.
“Agricultural tenants and tenanted land play a vital role in delivering this government’s food production and environmental ambitions, and in growing our rural economies.
“We now need to see further recommendations from the Rock Review taken forward, including the creation of a tenant farming commissioner who in a defined role could take up non-compliance with the new code.”
The Code of Practice was a key recommendation of the Rock Review and has been designed to foster and encourage clarity, communication and collaboration in the tenanted sector.
It provides guidance on the standards of behaviour expected from landlords and tenants as well as those providing professional advice in connection with agricultural tenancy matters.
