§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures the Government has taken since 1979 to improve agricultural tenancies.
§ Mr. Jopling[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1987]: The Agricultural Holdings Act 1984 which I introduced to Parliament amended the law relating to agricultural holdings in England and Wales. It introduced a new rent formula to be applied by arbitrators in determining the rent payable in respect of agricultural holdings. It disapplied the succession provisions of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in relation to most tenancies (apart from succession tenancies) created on or after 12 July 1984 so that such tenancies were subject to lifetime security of tenure only. Tenancies in existence at that time were unaffected, although the rules for statutory 109W succession were amended in certain respects. The Act made amendments concerning the length and operation of notices to quit. It also made a number of minor technical amendments and repealed certain redundant provisions in existing legislation.
The Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 consolidated all the legislation in this area and both sides of the industry generally agree that it now strikes the right balance of interest between landlord and tenant.