In this short blog, Julie Robinson looks at whether tenant farmers faced with a Case B notice to quit can successfully challenge that notice where land continues to have some agricultural use following development. The grounds for a Case B notice to quit...
Agri-tech projects can undoubtedly provide some welcome solutions to the farming industry and although many systems are in their infancy, we are seeing on-farm automation make a difference. However, that doesn’t mean to say agri-tech projects come...
The Seed Regulations 2011 make it clear that in respect of Farm Saved Seed (FSS), only the farmer who grew this seed can use it and it must not be marketed or supplied to any other person (Schedule 4, Part 1 (3)). We are aware that the winter...
Roythornes have advised more than 15 producer organisations (POs) since the Fruit & Vegetables Aid Scheme was established in 1996. We have always kept a close eye on legal and policy developments affecting the fruit and vegetable sector, not least over...
There are few guarantees in life but receiving phone calls for flooding advice whenever it rains is one of them. Over the past few months, we’ve received more calls than ever, demonstrating an uncertainty surrounding what victims of flooding may be...
Julie Robinson, Agriculture Partner at Roythornes Solicitors, explains why putting land into a biodiversity net gain project is not a walk in the park for farmers. Following the Government’s announcement on 27 September, we now have confirmation...
With land sales and new farm business tenancies being finalised ahead of Michaelmas, Julie Robinson looks at how parties might deal with the transition between the Basic Payment Scheme and delinked payments, due to be introduced in England in 2024. ...
It will not have escaped attention that the Government plans to do away with legacy EU laws to free up housebuilding in nutrient neutrality catchments. This blog looks at whether and how farmers will be affected by the proposed changes. The Government has...
More and more often, the situation is arising where a landowner is approached by a developer who wants to offer them a substantial sum of money to purchase all or part of the agricultural holding. Alternatively, the landowner is looking at ways...
Fly-tipping is a huge problem for many farmers and landowners and can be expensive to deal with, particularly if you get landed with a large fine. Fly-tipping is essentially the deposit of waste onto land which is not permitted to receive it. As a landowner...
Last August, Rebecca Ironmonger from our Regulatory Team discussed the Environment Agency’s Regulatory Position Statement on the use of organic manure over Autumn/Winter 2021/22. Here, Rebecca provides an update on the EA’s approach. Last week,...
For many farmers, the spreading of manure or sludge from water sewage treatment plants is an essential part of the process of preparing the soil for crops and for disposing of excess manure that they do not have the capacity to store. The Reduction and...
This article aims to answer some questions about UK farm employers’ access to seasonal workers under the Government’s extended Seasonal Workers Pilot. The end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020 marks the end of freedom of...
For farms with seasonal workers due to arrive from abroad on or after 8 June 2020, there is an extremely useful exemption from the general 14-day self-isolation rule. However, there is some small print that employers need to be aware of, and not all farms...
This blog highlights some legal considerations for landowners and tenant farmers to bear in mind when applying to the Government’s new Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme (WCaG), supported by an associated woodland creation project. The long-term...
This article focuses on activities you need to take to stay within the law if you are controlling wild birds to prevent serious damage to livestock, feedstuffs, crops, fruit etc., previously covered by General Licence 04. The legal position The basic...
The short answer to our client’s question is yes. Farm businesses are engaging in a whole raft of collaborative ventures as they focus on increasing their competitiveness and preparing for the future. Why are farmers opting for joint ventures? ...
In difficult years we are asked about the options available to farmers who cannot fulfil the deliveries they have agreed to in forwarding grain contracts. Below we take a look at the provisions of the Agricultural Industries Confederation Ltd (AIC) 1/16...
We are still seeing examples of employers failing to serve the correct documentation before handing over the keys of a cottage to new farm workers. They think they are granting an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) and that they will be able to recover...
The Single Payment Scheme definition of permanent pasture has come under challenge in the EU Court of Justice. The SPS defines permanent pasture as “land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation...
