Fears over the future of a key element of farming in Cumbria were aired at a packed meeting held at Penrith auction mart.
Tenant farmers are the backbone of agricultural production in Eden and the Lake District — but many have already been served notices to quit or are having “difficult” discussions with landowners over whether tenancy agreements will be ended or changed.
The meeting, organised by the Penrith-based Farmer Network and the national Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), saw many of those present share their experiences of the challenges they face, which have been brought on by the introduction of new Environmental Land Management Schemes which include generous support for tree planting and other “green” activities.
This — together with the potential for increased inheritance tax liability on privately owned estates — has prompted many estates to start taking land back from tenants or offer a contract for them to work the land, rather than a tenancy giving them control over their own business.
Present at last week’s meeting was Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, who said: “The NSA is hearing of an alarming number of cases involving the loss of significant areas of land on five-year farm business tenancies, leaving farmers with unviable holdings, either owned or on a full agricultural tenancy.
“It is clear this is a common problem in parts of the north of England, 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.”
Speaking after the meeting, TFA chief executive George Dunn said: “The farmers were clearly and understandably worried and frustrated by what is happening. However, they left with new ideas about how they can work towards positive solutions. We now need landlords to come to the table for constructive talks.”
Mr Dunn was introduced to the meeting by Adam Day, managing director of the Farmer Network, who also welcomed TFA national chair Robert Martin, a Carlisle-based tenant farmer. Mr Dunn gave an overview of the recommendations from the Rock Tenancy Review report, which was commissioned by the Government, and discussed the types of tenancy under which farmers occupy land.
Farmer Network chair Rob Hitch, a partner with Dodd & Co Accountants, and Catherine Stokes, of the NFU, joined a panel discussion with Mr Dunn, covering scenarios that Cumbrian tenants are facing in discussions with landlords.
An open session gave the opportunity for farmers to ask a range of questions, mostly based on personal experience.
The panel was in most cases able to give constructive advice to help them in their discussions or responses to landlords who are asking for change. Both Mr Dunn and Ms Stokes agreed the Government needs clear evidence of situations where farmers feel they are being treated unfairly. The farmers were reassured that this can be reported anonymously.
At the close of the meeting, Mr Day said: “All the organisations present are keen to work together to ensure these farming families have the support they need. Cumbria needs viable, sustainable farming and these tenant farming families should be a large part of that future.”
