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13 Spring / Summer 2019 Aspects of Land
money for public goods” runs through
the Bill.
Improvements to soil health, air
and water quality, biodiversity, public
access and carbon reduction have been
suggested as actions that could attract
payments under new Environmental Land
Management Scheme contracts.
Those surveyed felt that future public
goods payments need to pay for the
maintenance of existing provisions as well
as enhancements.
Emily believes “a perfect storm”
is brewing. “Not only has there been
complexity with new environmental
schemes but huge delays in payment for
existing schemes,” she says. “There is
DAVID NOTON / ALAMY, ANNA STOWE / ALAMY, SHUTTERSTOCK
Land tenure
One of the most notable results of
the research is a predicted shift in
preference towards flexible land tenure
arrangements.
Contract farming agreements are likely
to become more prevalent, followed
by share farming, stubble-to-stubble
contracting and Farm Business Tenancies.
“This suggests a trend towards
landowners being in occupation but
collaborating with others to farm their
land,” Emily says.
Public money for public goods
It has almost become a catchphrase
for Gove, but the mantra “public
a great deal of frustration and it’s not
giving the industry much hope that the
administration bodies are going to be able
to smoothly roll out a new scheme.”
Rupert adds: “There is a concern among
landowners that if they do something now
they may not be paid for it in the future.
The Government has said farmers won’t
be penalised for taking action now but,
in reality, people don’t have complete
confidence in that.”
n For more details on the research or the
Agriculture Bill, contact Emily Norton,
London, 020 7016 3786, emily.norton@
or Rupert Clark, Petworth,
01798 345 999,
Research shows a preference for more flexible land tenure and a move to contract farming
84 %
expect retirements
to become more
common among
AHA tenants
22 %
of Savills
professionals
say the Bill has
prompted a
property sale
78 %
think contract
farming agreements
will become more
popular
82 %
are more likely
to invest in
diversification
The Agriculture Bill will encourage biodiversity
THE RESEARCH SAYS...