Rent warning to tenant farmers

NEXT Friday is the traditional May term and with it comes the possibility of tenant farmers facing a hike in their farm rent.

As politicians warn of the need for austerity measures, the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association has cautioned tenants against being forced into agreeing a rent they might come to regret in the coming years.

Angus McCall, of the SFTA, said tenants must be realistic in rent settlements and view uncertain markets against a backdrop of continuing spiralling input costs. He described as "eye-watering" the level of rent being offered over the last couple of years.

"However, these cannot be justified economically, even by agri-businesses spreading costs. Such high rents have spurred land agents on to try and squeeze existing tenants but this key money element must be disregarded in negotiations."