§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to meet the Tenant Farmers Association; and if she will make a statement. [27619]
§ Mr. MorleyMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister for Rural Affairs, and my noble Friend Lord Whitty, have all met representatives of the Tenant Farmers Association over the last six months. I can assure the hon. Member that the close contact DEFRA has established with the tenanted sector will be maintained. Further, my noble Friend Lord Whitty has agreed to meet with the Tenant Farmers Association when the outcome of the review of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 is known.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the issues facing tenant farmers; and what action she will take to improve their situation. [27620]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Policy Commission on Food and Farming has been established to look at all aspects of the farming industry. DEFRA has been sent a copy of the detailed submission the Tenant Farmers Association792W (TFA) has made to the commission and departmental officials have met with the TFA to discuss the issues raised. DEFRA has also commissioned a review of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. This is being conducted by Plymouth university and their draft report should be available to the Department by the end of January.
It is not possible to say what if any specific action will be taken in relation to tenant farming issues before the results of this study and the Policy Commission's recommendations are known. However the Government are committed to the establishment of a sustainable, diverse, Modern and adaptable farming industry.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the Tenant Farmers Association concerning(a) an early retirement and young entrant scheme into the farming industry, (b) her Department's free business advice to all farmers, (c) farm diversification through best practice guides and (d) 50 per cent. rate relief for five years for new non-agricultural enterprises on farms. [27618]
§ Mr. MorleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) on 30 October, as did my noble Friend Lord Whitty on 16 July and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs on 21 November. The key topics discussed at these meetings were an early retirement scheme, access by tenant farmers to agri-environment and other schemes under the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the scope for diversification by tenant farmers under existing tenancy legislation. There has, in addition, been correspondence between my officials and the TFA on the free business advice service provided to farmers.