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Farmer's 'world ended' after getting tenancy axe

Mari Grug & Rowenna Hoskin
BBC News
Family Photo Michael Davies kneels behind a sheep. He is wearing a black and red and white stripey jumper and has short brown hair and stubble.One of his young daughters, who looks about five, kneels next to the sheep in a pink jumper and blue jeans. She has curly blonde hair. On the right of the sheep Davies' older daughter, who looks to be about seven or eight wears a matching pink hoodie and grey jeans. She has long brown hair. She is holding the sheep's head. Bind them in the background a tree and bushes are visible. Family Photo
"They're cutting my daughter's chance at farming," said Michael Davies who received a letter from the council ending his tenancy

A farmer who rented his land from a mid Wales council said his "world ended" when he received a letter telling him he had six weeks to vacate the property.

The Powys county farms estate is the largest estate of its kind in Wales, and the fifth largest in the UK, but the local authority has served 19 tenants with notices to quit and sold multiple farms this year.

Farmers and agricultural unions said they were concerned about the impact it could have on the ability of new farmers, who cannot afford to buy, to join the industry.

Powys council said it was "reviewing and streamlining" its properties and any income from sales would be "reinvested" into its projects to improve the county.

Michael Davies, 35, was given a farm tenancy near Newtown in 2012 and said he "worked tirelessly to turn a farm that was unproductive into a productive farm".

"All that is wasted because three months ago I was served a notice to quit," he said.

"They're not supporting new entrants, they're cutting my daughter's chance at farming.

"I've reseeded over 100 acres, and 3,000 metres of fencing, installed a new bathroom and laid a new drive. Powys have not spent a penny on that holding.

"My world ended [when I received my letter] it was my dream to be a farmer. Selling the property and retaining land only helps established farmers grow bigger.

"The disregard I've received from the council is disgusting. They gave me six weeks to disperse my business and find a new family home."

At a meeting on Tuesday, about 150 people gathered to discuss the future of the council's tenant farms.

In 2011, Powys council had 163 farm holdings – as of Tuesday it had about 130 and there were fears that more would be sold over the coming years.

As of Tuesday, 19 people have received a notice to quit, but the council said some of these will be given another term.

About 150 people in a hall with people on a stage with a chairs.
Farmers described feeling uneasy about the situation at Tuesday's meeting

Many of the council's tenant farmers were in Montgomeryshire in north Powys where the meeting in Sarn Village Hall near Newtown was held.

Chairing the meeting, David Jones, Kerry community councillor, said: "There's been concern over the past 18 months about the situation. Farmers are feeling very uneasy with the situation.

"All of a sudden Powys have made this decision to sell £10m of assets each year and it's very, very obvious to us that they intend to do that by selling farms.

"Powys has around 130 farms and 30 of those are within our community. The effect on our community could be massive.

"Ultimately that's a decision for them but we need answers."

The reaction of farming unions included Ian Rickman, FUW president, who said: "These are vital stepping stones for young people to get into the industry."

He said the council had a "responsibility" to the tenants and said the plans should be reviewed, a sentiment which was echoed by NFU Cymru.

Powys council said its streamlining of property would "reduce maintenance liabilities, improve operational efficiency, and release capital from underutilised or surplus assets".

The council said income raised from sales will be reinvested to support the delivery of the council's projects which include essential services, infrastructure and sustainability.