Defra has confirmed it will move forward with the appointment of a commissioner for the tenant farming sector in England, following considerable lobbying from industry stakeholders.

The new commissioner will predominantly handle complaints confidentially and report to the Farm Tenancy Forum.

The identity of the commissioner is expected to be revealed in spring 2025, following an open recruitment process.

Depending on the scope of the role, the commissioner is anticipated to work between three and five days a week.

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The proposal to create the commissioner role stems from the 2022 Rock Review into agricultural tenancies, led by Baroness Kate Rock.

This recommendation was endorsed by the previous government, which had planned to implement the appointment this year, but the process was delayed by the election.

Despite this, the initiative has enjoyed broad cross-party support.

Daniel Zeichner, food security minister said: “Food security is national security - and tenant farmers are essential to our country’s food production.

“That is why I am delighted to confirm that this government will appoint a commissioner to advocate for the tenant farming sector.

“I look forward to working alongside our new commissioner, tenants, landlords and the wider industry to boost Britain's food security and support nature’s recovery.”

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) are “delighted” with the announcement following a relatively difficult week for agriculture following the new budget.

TFA chief executive, George Dunn said: “Following the publication of the code of conduct for landlord/tenant relationships within agriculture, it was vital that government took the extra step of appointing a commissioner to oversee that code."

Mr Dunn stated that the new commission should display similar characteristics to the person in this position in Scotland, Bob McIntosh.

“Bob McIntosh has shown what can be achieved in what has been a pretty fraught landlord/tenant environment north of the border," expressed Mr Dunn.

"And with a TFA survey concluding that 30% of tenants felt bullied or harassed by their landlords and 37% by their landlords’ agents, clearly there is some very important work to do south of the border.

"The TFA looks forward to working with whoever Defra appoints to this important role to ensure we have a resilient and fair landlord tenant sector within agriculture for England."

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said it was vital for the tenant sector that the commissioner was independent from Defra and will display fair and balanced conduct for all stakeholders in the sector.

It added: “The commissioner must be a well-respected neutral party with a good understanding of the agricultural world and have the resources to properly assess any cases that reach them.”