Commissioner for the tenant farming sector must be independent, says CLA
Role to be filled in months, as Farming Minister makes speech at Northern Farming Conference
Whoever fills the role of commissioner for the tenant farming sector must be independent, the CLA has said after details of the position were announced.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said that England's first commissioner will reaffirm the government's support for a thriving tenant farming sector, during a speech at the Northern Farming Conference today.
It is thought the role could be filled by the spring, aimed at improving collaboration between tenant farmers, landowners and their advisors, and promoting the standards outlined in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice.
'Fair and balanced'
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:
“It is crucial for the healthy future of the farm tenancy sector that the commissioner is independent from Defra, and is fair and balanced for landlords, agents and tenants.
“The commissioner must be a well-respected neutral party with a good understanding of the agricultural world, and have the resources to properly assess any cases that reach them.”
The minister was speaking at the 15th Northern Farming Conference, which the CLA is a partner of.
It is believed the commissioner will be recruited through an 'open competition process' with the aim of making an appointment by spring 2025.