The CAAV Podcast

Chancellor John Healey delivered his first Budget on 28October, so what was in it for farmers and rural businesses? Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV, joins Olivia Cooper to delve into the detail.

Regenerative farming is encouraging producers across the UK to embrace soil health improvements. Combined with payments for environmental goods like carbon sequestration and biodiversity, there is growing demand for measurement and valuation of soil health. Richard Sanders at the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers meets Harry Epsom, founder of Epsom Rural, to discuss his Centenary Scholarship paper on the value of soil health.

In this episode, Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV, gives an update on the Route to Rural campaign, which is helping to inspire the next generation of rural professionals. It covers the response so far, the opportunities within agricultural valuation and rural practice, and why attracting new talent is more important than ever.

Show notes:

·      Read more about the Route to Rural campaign

·      Take a look at the job opportunities available through LandIt.jobs  

The Renters Rights Act became law in October 2025, provingto be the biggest shake-up to residential tenancy law in England for almost 40 years, reforming the Housing Act 1988. In this episode, Flossy Freeman-Inglis, technical and policy adviser to the CAAV, discusses the headline provisions, the key dates and the practical implications for those practising in this area.

Show Notes

CAAV Briefing Notes:

• CAAV Website Note of 11th December 2025 on the Implementation of the Renters Rights Act

• See the CAAV Website Note of 2nd April 2026 for the s.8Grounds for Possession and for more information on the transitional provisions for s.21 notices.
• See the CAAV Website Note of 18th November 2025 on the Conversion of tenancies subject to the Renters Rights Act and Excluded Tenancies.

MHCLG Guidance:

• "Implementing the Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Our roadmap for reforming the private rented sector" 
• Government-published “Information Sheet” to be provided to tenants by 31st May 2026

As the UK pushes toward Clean Power 2030 and net zero by 2050, the electricity system is set for rapid expansion. In this episode, Rebecca Collins and Richard Spencer explore what that growth means in practice - from new generation and grid infrastructure to consenting, land rights and the role of rural advisers in delivering it.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday professional life - from drafting emails to analysing data and even shaping valuation reports. But alongside the opportunities, there are important questions about responsibility and regulation.

In today’s episode Richard Sanders, technical and policyadviser to the CAAV, discusses the new RICS Standard on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice and what it means for CAAV members.

Show notes:

• CAAV Podcast #53: ArtificialIntelligence: Opportunity or Threat?  
• CAAV Note 260210: AI Standards, Regulation and Responsible Use 
• RICS Standard: Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice
• RICS Example Risk Register

The first two weeks of January see two farming conferences,taking place at the same time, in the same place – The Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference. In today’s episode, Richard Sanders, technical and policy adviser to the CAAV, unpacks the key announcements, like a renewed Sustainable Farming Incentive offer, clarity around future schemes, and a bigger focus on partnership working and business growth.

Show Notes:

CAAV Briefing Note: Review of OFC Announcements

DEFRA Announcements:

• Press Release: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability
• Secretary of State's address to 2026 Oxford Farming Conference
• DEFRA Blog: The new SFI offer for 2026

In this episode we explore the Government’s recent climbdown on the family farm tax, and what the new proposals actually mean for family-owned businesses. Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV, unravels the full implications of these inheritance tax changes.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled the 2025 Budget,after months of hints, leaks and about-turns. So, now it’s finally happened, what does it mean for the rural economy and farm businesses? Jeremy Moody picks out the finerdetail.

With Parliament’s summer recess coming to an end, now is a good opportunity to take stock of various policy developments, and to look ahead to what is coming down the line. Richard Sanders, technical and policy adviser at the CAAV, takes us through some of the detail.