The National Sheep Association (NSA) stated that traditional farming practices “could be threatened” as large landowners look to reclaim farmland for “economically, beneficial environmental” practices.
The NSA added that at a meeting for NSA Northern Region and the Farming Network, farmers said they were being “squeezed out” of short-term lets and Farm Business Tenancies (FBT), as landowners take back land.
Some farmers believe landowners want to become involved in large scale tree planting, rewilding and other environmental projects.
Other farmers at the meeting claimed that this trend appears to be “linked to tax benefits” of being active in farming and land management.
NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said:
“NSA is hearing of an alarming number of cases involving the loss of significant areas of land on five year FBTs, leaving farmers with unviable holdings either owned or on a full agricultural tenancy.
“This is a common problem where a high percentage of farm land is tenanted and owned by large private estates, corporate organisations such as water companies, and non-governmental organisations,” he said.
The NSA stated that a practice of estates reclaiming land on short term lets is often driven by landowners and agents seeking to reduce tax liability, and increase income through government and private schemes.
Stocker added that the NSA is seeing a breakdown in sheep farming and grazing practices as holdings are becoming “unviable” and tenants do not have the chance to benefit from the schemes.
Mr. Stocker continued that this has been going on for some time and there is “plenty of evidence” to prove it is increasing, when food production has been recognised as “fragile”.
The NSA has announced that it is “keen” to work with The Farmer Network and the Tenant Farmers Association, to highlight some of the consequences of policy decisions such as carbon credits and schemes that exclude farming.
Farmers currently affected by this issue in the north of England or further afield are encouraged to contact NSA to provide a more accurate view of what is happening.
