Tenant Farmers

One of the challenges with the solar proposal in Old Malton is the fact the land is already occupied by a tenant farmer.

The agricultural tenanted sector is complex and varied. All farms, tenant farmers, landlords, and businesses differ across the UK. This diversity is a huge strength.

Tenants farmers farm on around 64% of the total agricultural area in England – a colossal contribution to British agriculture. So much so, a recent Defra review has recommended the appointment of a Tenant Farmer Commissioner to ensure government policy is inclusive of the sector.
There are two types of farming tenancies, Agricultural Holding Act (AHA) Tenancies and Farming Business Tenancies (FBT). Here in Old Malton, Robert Sturdy is the second generation of a 3 generation AHA tenancy.

An AHA tenancy provides a lifetime tenancy and succession rights and recognises tenants’ need for long-term security over the land, to make investments in productivity and develop long-term plans. Usually, AHA tenancies include the land, the farmstead and, importantly, the family home. In contrast, the average length of an FBT is 4 years, something which is not conducive to long-term planning.

Farming is a long-term endeavour, requiring significant capital investment, patience, good soil management and the ability to balance the profitable years against the bad. At Eden Farm in Old Malton, 3 generations have invested in the land and the infrastructure and, due to the strength of the AHA and a good relationship with the landlord, we have been able to farm the land with the long term in mind, in other words, farm it as sustainably as is possible. This takes skill, experience and huge financial investment.

Tenant farmers are usually small businesses and innovators. AHA tenancies create opportunities for entrepreneurs and for the next generation to start productive agricultural businesses that deliver our food, fuel, and environmental services. They also enable tenants to diversify. A fully functioning farm, with a profitable long-term business plan, can reinvest and deliver on high standards of food production, environmental targets and net-zero aspirations. If a farm business is at risk of becoming unviable, all this changes..

The heart of the landlord-tenant relationship is a thriving tenanted business. The landlord thrives when the tenants thrive, and they must work together to deliver a bright future. Not only does this have benefits to the landlord, it also has beneficial implications for local rural communities.

We remain hopeful for a positive outcome.