While the political machinations play out in Westminster around the future of the Prime Minister, his Government has set out its legislative programme in today’s King’s Speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament.

Whilst there is nothing within the list of 35 Bills which will impact the tenanted sector of agriculture specifically, there are a number which the TFA will be following closely to ensure that they do not create unintended consequences for the sector.

The Bill aimed at resetting the UK’s post-Brexit trading relationship with the EU will seek to align rules and regulations across the channel which could have major implications for the use of agrochemicals and other farm practices. It may also impact our ability to use our post-Brexit freedoms to trade freely with the rest of the world.

The Energy Independence Bill which seeks to ramp up the development of renewables, will have huge implications for the cost of energy for farm businesses into the medium term and could bring difficulties for tenant farmers if landlords and developers find it easier to obtain permission for renewable energy infrastructure on land subject to agricultural tenancies. The TFA will be seeking to progress its long-standing position of demanding fairer compensation for tenant farmers who are affected by this.

The third area to watch will be the Bill on water regulation. It is likely that it will cover nutrients used within farm settings and it will be vital to ensure that it follows sound science and avoids penalising tenant farmers whose fixed equipment for managing nutrients is the responsibility of landlords reluctant to spend money to upgrade or replace ageing facilities.

For more information about the legislative programme announced by the Government, click here.