REFORM OF AGRICULTURAL TENANCIES

Early day motion 900, tabled 24 March 2004 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes with concern the loopholes in the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1986 which renders it open to abuse; notes in particular the growing tendency of landlords to designate land as being for equestrian use, thus justifying removing the land from the tenants' control; believes that this has deprived many longstanding tenants from using land for agricultural use; is alarmed at the increasing anecdotal evidence that such land is never properly utilised for equestrian use but is soon sold on at a greatly inflated price, adding value to country properties and distorting the local housing market; and calls on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to bring forward legislation based on the long-awaited review of agricultural tenancies.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour/Co-operative 1.