Tenant Farmers to Get More Freedom Under New Tenancy Laws
The government is shaking up agricultural tenancy law to give tenant farmers more flexibility and boost productivity. A fresh response to the consultation on tenancy law in England confirms plans to update the outdated Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) for the 21st century.
No More Forced Retirement at 65
One major change is scrapping the minimum retirement age of 65 for tenant farmers. This means tenants can now decide when to retire and hand over the reins to the next generation, making succession smoother and more tailored to individual needs.
New Dispute Mechanism to Ease Restrictions
To make farming business smoother, the government will introduce a new dispute mechanism. This allows tenants to request changes to restrictive tenancy agreements, offering greater control. It also simplifies applications for the upcoming Environmental Land Management scheme.
“Agricultural tenancies account for a third of all farmland in this country, so tackling barriers to productivity for the tenanted sector is vital for unlocking the potential of the farming industry as a whole,” said Farming Minister Victoria Prentis.
“Our tenant farmers are some of the most engaged and innovative in the sector, and it is high time we modernise outdated legislation to fit today’s farmers and their families.”
Backing from the Farming Industry
The government launched a 12-week consultation in 2019 to remove obstacles holding back tenant farmers. This built on advice from the Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG), which helped shape key priorities for the sector’s future.
These well-supported proposals are now part of the Agriculture Bill introduced to Parliament earlier this year. The government’s response also outlines next steps and summarises feedback from farmers and industry experts alike.
