THE Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has expressed its disappointment to Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett, following an admission by the Government that it is not planning to introduce a retirement scheme at the present time.

TFA national chairman Reg Haydon said: "The Government gave a manifesto commitment before the last election that it would implement a retirement scheme. This is a clear reversal of a pre-election promise.

"It is doubly disappointing since the proposal has cross-party support with both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives making the same promise in their manifestos.

"We estimate that there might be 1,500 tenant farmers who would be in a position to take advantage of a means-tested retirement scheme.

"These individuals have little or no financial assets and do not own the houses within which they and their families live. These individuals need help to leave the industry with dignity. A retirement scheme would have given this opportunity but now it would appear that hope has been removed," said Mr Haydon.

The TFA also believes that a retirement scheme would be a major catalyst to restructuring in the industry.

"We believe there could be around 150,000 acres of land occupied by potential retirement scheme participants which, if brought into the market in one year, could double the amount of land let in one year and provide a ripple effect though the industry in terms of restructuring," said Mr Haydon.

"If the Government continues with its present line all the benefits will be lost."

The TFA has written a strong letter to the Secretary of State urging the Government to think again.

Updated: 08:52 Thursday, May 23, 2002