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TFA e-newsletter 23 March 2018

George outside office

TFA Chief Executive George Dunn

Don't Be Bullied into Settling Lady Day Rents

In the calendar of the Christian church, Lady Day on 25 March celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation marking the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary telling her that she was to give birth to Jesus.

For tenant farmers, Lady Day is a common term date for farm tenancy agreements and when rents are often reviewed. Whilst many landlords have agreed standstills this year, others are still in the marketplace looking for increases and are likely to be making contact with tenants over the next few days trying to reach agreement before Lady Day.

However, tenants must not be bullied into agreeing an increase where it is unjustified. All that needs to happen by the term date is either an agreement between the landlord and tenant as to the level of rent or an application has been made for the appointment of an arbitrator. An application, if made, does not mean that the rent will proceed to arbitration - it merely extends the negotiating time available for the parties. TFA members should seek individual advice about their cases, to speak to a TFA Adviser call 0118 930 6130.

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SustainLogo2015 200

Farms of All Shapes and Sizes Needed into the Future

The TFA has joined forces with CPRE, the Family Farmers Association, Friends of the Earth, The Landworkers Alliance, The New Economics Foundation and Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, to argue that the protection and enhancement of farm diversity must be a core purpose of the new post Brexit policy for agriculture.

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said "It is vital to have a structure within the farming industry which encourages progression. That means having small, medium and large farms and a well-functioning landlord tenant system underpinning occupation, investment and resilience. A key focus to achieve this must be to look at reform of the taxation system which underpins land ownership and occupation” click here to read the full statement.

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RPA 2015

RPA Confirms BPS Bridging Payment Details in England

Following the DEFRA announcement made at the end of January, the RPA has now issued further guidance about how it will make bridging payments to those individuals yet to receive a 2017 BPS payment in England based on 75% of the estimated claim value at the time of the calculation.

The RPA is preparing to make contact on Monday of next week with those individuals who are still awaiting a 2017 BPS payment. Letters will be issued both by email and in hardcopy for those where the RPA does not have a valid email address. Bridging payments will then be issued to those individuals on 4 April and should begin to land in bank accounts from 6 April. It is intended that the letters will explain how the bridging payment has been calculated. It will be based on the data held by the RPA and may not take into account any outstanding claim queries. The RPA has warned that there will be a small number of exceptional cases where it will not be able to make a bridging payment and individuals in those categories will be written to separately.

Claimants with cross border claims with other parts of the UK will receive a payment based only on the English element of their claim. Claimants with an outstanding debt relating to previous years will face a reduction in their bridging payment to reflect that debt. The 75% bridging payment will be paid net of any Financial Support Payments previously received. In cases where claimants have made an application for a financial support payment but have as yet received nothing will only receive a bridging payment and the Financial Support Payment application will be cancelled. As the RPA will continue to work on full claim validation, there may also be some individuals who receive a letter referring to a bridging payment but, in fact, the RPA is able to issue a full payment. The remittance advice received for any payment should make this clear. If in any doubt, members should contact TFA Head Office on 0118 930 6130.

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HOL 2

House of Lords Committee Slams Government Performance on Rural Matters

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 has produced a report following an inquiry which concludes that the Government has diminished the resources given to departments and bodies which protect the UK's natural environment and promote the needs of rural communities. The Committee argues that this has had a profound, negative impact on England's biodiversity, environment and the social and economic welfare of rural areas, and must be addressed.

Following the publication of the report, Chairman of the Committee, Lord Cameron of Dillington said "It is clear that the Government are failing to take proper account of the needs of rural communities. Departmental decisions and policies continue to demonstrate a lack of rural understanding among Whitehall policymakers. Each and every Government department should be required to think about the ways in which their policies affect rural people, and the Government must take action to ensure that this 'rural-proofing' of policy happens”. To read the report in full click here and to read a transcript of the oral evidence session with the TFA’s Chief Executive, George Dunn,click here.

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HOC logo

House Of Commons, EFRA Select Committee Publishes Transcript of Evidence on DEFRA "Health and Harmony" Consultation

The House of Commons Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has published a transcript of the oral evidence provided to the Select Committee by the TFA’s Chief Executive George Dunn alongside Guy Smith of the NFU and Tim Breitmeyer of the CLA. Click here to read the full report.

Red Tractor is looking for new board members

Fancy making a difference, why not put yourself forward to sit on the Board of Assured Food Standards? There are currently 3 vacancies being advertised - Fresh Produce Sector Chair, Pig Sector Chair and Poultry Sector Chair. These Chair positions will also be appointed as Directors of Assured Food Standards. For more details on how to apply click here.

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Calling all Dorset County Council Farm Tenants!

Join us on the 9 April for a discussion group - The future of Dorset County Council County Estate.

This event is FREE and open to all Dorset County Council Farm Tenants - both members and non-members. For more details including how to reserve your seat at this event, please click here, email events@tfa.org.uk or call 0118 930 6130.

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quy mill members meeting Feb 2018

Spring Roadshow at Quy Mill Hotel, Cambridgeshire

TFA Regional Roadshow Final Dates for your Diary

The TFA Regional Roadshow is taking a brief break over the lambing period but will begin again on 14 May 2018.

Dates for your diary:
South West - Mon 14 May at Arundell Arms, Lifton, Devon
Wessex - Tues 15 May at Walnut Tree Hotel, South of Bridgewater, Somerset
West Midlands - Wed 23 May at Corbett Arms, Church Rd, Uffington, Shrewsbury

All meetings are FREE to attend, open to members and non-members and start 7:30pm.

TFA Chief Executive George Dunn will present an update on post Brexit policy issues faced by tenant farm businesses, as well as impact scenarios by AHDB and CFE (Campaign for the Farmed Environment) will discuss voluntary opportunities for less productive farmland.

For more information click here, or if you are interested in attending please contact Julia Meadows at the TFA’s Head Office on 0118 930 6130 or email events@tfa.org.uk to book your place.

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Newspaper clip art

TFA Updates

Weekly Uploaded Documents

The following articles and documents have been uploaded to the TFA’s website since the publication of the last TFA e-newsletter or e-Bites.

Media Releases

TFA Media Release MR18/13 - NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR FARM RENT REVIEW HIKES

Tenancy Opportunities

Please note: Members will need to log into their TFA account before they can access details.

Traditional Lakeland fell farm approx. 575 hectares (1420 acres) To Let by the National Trust

2 bedroom barn conversion to let in Cornwall – Farming restrictions apply

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Make it Cheaper

NEW TFA Members Benefit

TFA Joins Forces with Make It Cheaper’s Switching Service

Make It Cheaper understand your time is precious and believe that you should be able to spend it focusing on what’s important – the smooth running of your farm. That’s why, for the last 11 years, they’ve strived to save British businesses the time, hassle and frustration of dealing with utilities.

You can wave goodbye to tedious interactions with traditional suppliers and let them deal with it all for you. What’s more, you could save up to £1,150* on your bills!

Their unique Do It For You service was created so you never have to deal with energy renewals again. They’ll handle everything. Every. Single. Time.

Every time your contract is up for renewal, Make It Cheaper search through more than 50 prices to find the right package, following these rules to ensure you’re happy with the outcome:

Your choice. Your preferences – if you exclude a supplier, they aren’t getting your custom.

Quality suppliers – your business deserves the best service out there, so Make It Cheaper scours the market and only work with suppliers they trust.
Smoother renewals – they arrange your next contract as soon as you’re up for renewal to ensure they can resolve any issues before your current contract ends.
Everything in one place – Your electricity and gas accounts handled by one convenient contact.
Money where their mouth is – if they don’t made things easy, you’ll receive their commission as part of the Make It Easy Guarantee.
Insurance – Any insurance queries from TFA members will be passed to the TFA Affiliated Insurance partner Hendersons.

The best bit? With Do It For You, they’re not just there for the switch. They’ll deal with anything energy – queries, supplier conversations and more.

Shift the hassle and frustration of finding a great business energy deal to Make It Cheaper and gain the peace of mind that your utility needs will always be covered.

For more details about how to get started and to read a TFA customer testimonial click here.

*Figure based on 6,000 actual contracts arranged in 2016 when compared to prices or renewal quotes of existing suppliers. Savings figure a combination of savings achieved through switching gas and electricity.

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Farmers Guardian

And Finally...

TFA Member Special Subscription Offer- get 10 issues for just £10.

The Farmers Guardian are offering TFA Members 10 issues for just £10, then £33.75 per quarter thereafter when they sign up to become a VIP+ member who pays via Direct Debit.

The Farmers Guardian VIP+ Membership includes a number of additional benefits for free:

▪ Access to VIP Member-only online content via FGInsight.com
▪ Use of specialist tools including: Grant Checker & Legal Helpdesk (30 minutes free legal advice)
▪ Access to the Farmers Guardian App Plus, digital editions of Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer via FGInsight.com
▪ FarmBuyer access will help to secure deals and discounts on a range of agricultural products and services
▪ Early access to classified ads the day before release via our weekly VIP e-newsletter
▪ A free goodie bag and hospitality at the shows we attend throughout the year
▪ Of course…Farmers Guardian delivered directly to your door every week
Access to VIP Member-only online content via FGInsight.com
Use of specialist tools including: Grant Checker & Legal Helpdesk (30 minutes free legal advice)
Access to the Farmers Guardian App Plus, digital editions of Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer via FGInsight.com
FarmBuyer access will help to secure deals and discounts on a range of agricultural products and services
Early access to classified ads the day before release via our weekly VIP e-newsletter
A free goodie bag and hospitality at the shows we attend throughout the year
Of course…Farmers Guardian delivered directly to your door every week

To subscribe and claim the discount click here.

This offer expires 31 March 2019.

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