Over the last half century owner-occupiers have increased from around 10 % to over 50 % of farmers. During much the greater part of this revolution in land tenure land prices have remained relatively low and farmers' traditional sources of finance - family savings and private borrowings, the Banks and trade credit - have proved adequate for their needs. More recently, land prices have risen steeply and farmer-owners and landlords have enjoyed massive capital gains. Traditionally capital taxation in Britain has not been heavy and farmers have enjoyed generous concessions; new legislation will alter this situation radically however and farmers are looking to business organisation and financial changes based increasingly on the separation of ownership and use of land to increase liquidity and maintain business continuity.
