New landlord-tenant code of practice must have teeth to protect farmers, MP tells DEFRA Secretary

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has written to the DEFRA Secretary Steve Barclay, asking him to appoint a Tenant Farmer Commissioner to protect farmers who are unfairly treated by their landlords.

Last week, DEFRA launched the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, aimed at leading to positive relationships between tenants and landlords.

It comes as over 60 tenants attended a meeting with the Tenant Farmers Association at Penrith Auction Mart earlier this month, with many voicing difficult conversations with landlords or some saying that they had already been served notices to quit.

Writing to the Secretary of State, Tim said: “On its own this good document will not be enough – particularly if there is no mechanism to enforce it.

“Therefore, will you commit to introducing a Tenant Farming Commissioner – as recommended in the excellent Rock Review – who will ensure that the code of practice is complied with?

“Meanwhile with the roll-out of the well-intentioned and welcome new Environment Land Management Schemes, it’s more important than ever that tenants and landlords have the best possible working relationship so they can deliver these environmental goods.

“Unfortunately I’ve had numerous tenant farmers report to me that they’ve been threatened with eviction so their landlord can take advantage of these schemes.

“Therefore will you please also commit to ensuring that no public money is given to any landlord who evicts a tenant in order to qualify for Environmental Land Management Schemes?”