New adjudication scheme to help tenant farmers diversify

The NFU believes a new adjudication scheme will give tenant farmers greater confidence to embark on farm diversification projects.

Defra recently announced that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has been empowered to adjudicate on disputes between tenants and landlords over proposed agri-environment and farm diversification projects.

NFU vice president Meurig Raymond said: “Our industry is facing a number of changes and in the future diversification could deliver an important income stream to many farmers and growers. It is vital that tenant farmers have the confidence to capitalise on opportunities which might present themselves outside of their core business. I believe this scheme will boost that confidence.

“I am pleased that the RICS have been awarded the contract and hope its members will rise to the challenge of ensuring that where there is an innovative prospect backed by a good business plan tenant farmers will be given the best opportunity to grow their businesses.”

The NFU will monitor the success of the adjudication scheme and will take the action should it not be delivering the right results in the tenant sector.