Childless farmers will be able to leave leases of State-owned agricultural land to close relatives in their will if a Government-proposed amendment is passed by Parliament.

Currently, leases of Government-owned land can only be transferred to the children of a lease signatory, meaning leases to childless farmers are automatically terminated when they die.

An amendment proposed by Small Business Minister Jason Azzopardi would let siblings, nieces or nephews inherit if they are full-time farmers.

To qualify, a person must be registered with the Employment and Training Corporation, have a declared income of at least €20,000 a year from farming-related activities and be a member of a farmer’s union, agricultural cooperative or producers’ organisation.

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