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Grazing Licences Explained: A Guide for UK Landowners | LegalDocuments.co.uk

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Part ofFarming and Agricultural Law in the UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you own farmland or pasture that you are not actively using, letting someone else graze their livestock on it for a season can be a sensible way to keep the land in good heart and generate a modest income. A grazing licence is the short-term arrangement most commonly used for this purpose in England and Wales. It sits in a very different legal category from a farm business tenancy, and getting the distinction right matters, because the wrong wording can accidentally create rights you never intended to grant. This guide walks through what a grazing licence actually is, what it typically covers, where landowners most often trip up, and the practical questions worth thinking through before you put anything in writing. It is aimed at landowners who want to understand the shape of the arrangement before deciding how to proceed.

What this document is

A grazing licence is a short-term permission granted by a landowner to a grazier, allowing that grazier to put livestock onto a defined area of land for a limited period. Unlike a tenancy, it does not give the grazier exclusive possession of the land.

The landowner retains control, and the grazier's rights are confined to what the licence specifically permits, usually turning out a stated number of animals, for a stated season, on a stated field. The distinction between a licence and a tenancy is not a matter of what the document is called.

Courts look at what actually happens on the ground. If the grazier is given full control of the land, can exclude the owner, and uses it like a tenant would, a court may find that a farm business tenancy under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 has been created, regardless of the label on the paperwork.

Grazing licences are most commonly used for seasonal arrangements, summer grazing, overwintering, or short-term use of aftermath grass. They suit situations where the landowner wants flexibility and does not want to grant long-term rights over the land.

How to use this document

  1. Decide whether a licence is the right fit. Before drafting anything, think about how you actually want the land to be used. If you want someone to take full agricultural responsibility for the land over several years, a farm business tenancy is probably more appropriate. A grazing licence works best for short, seasonal arrangements where you stay in control of the land and the grazier simply turns stock out.
  2. Define the land, the livestock and the period clearly. The licence should identify the exact area (ideally with a plan), the type and maximum number of animals permitted, and the start and end dates. Vague descriptions cause disputes later. Be specific about whether the arrangement covers the whole of a field or only part, and whether the grazier may use any tracks or water troughs.
  3. Set out who does what on the land. A genuine grazing licence usually leaves the landowner responsible for the condition of the sward, fencing, hedging and weed control, while the grazier looks after the animals. If the grazier takes on everything, the arrangement starts to look more like a tenancy. Think carefully about topping, fertiliser, muck spreading and boundary maintenance, and record who handles each task.
  4. Address fees, insurance and liability. The licence should state what the grazier pays, when, and whether it is calculated per head, per acre or as a lump sum. It should also require the grazier to hold adequate livestock and public liability insurance, and to comply with animal health, movement and identification rules. Clear wording on who is liable if animals escape or cause damage saves a great deal of trouble later.
  5. Keep written records and review each season. Even a short licence should be signed and dated, with both parties keeping a copy. Make a note of any variations agreed during the season, and do not simply let the arrangement roll on year after year without review. Renewing deliberately each year helps reinforce that the arrangement is a licence and not a long-term tenancy by habit.

Common questions

Q Is a grazing licence the same as a farm business tenancy?
No. A farm business tenancy under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 gives the tenant exclusive possession of the land and a range of statutory rights. A grazing licence is a personal permission only, does not grant exclusive possession, and is usually limited to seasonal grazing. The practical reality of the arrangement, not the label on the document, determines which category it falls into.
Q How long can a grazing licence last?
There is no fixed statutory maximum, but grazing licences are typically limited to a single grazing season, often somewhere between six and eleven months. The longer the arrangement runs and the more control the grazier has, the greater the risk that a court might treat it as a tenancy rather than a licence. Many landowners prefer to grant a fresh licence each season rather than let one roll on indefinitely.
Q Can the grazier graze any livestock they like?
Only what the licence permits. A well-drafted licence specifies the species (for example, cattle, sheep or horses), the maximum number of animals, and sometimes the class of stock (ewes with lambs, store cattle, and so on). Straying outside those limits is a breach of the licence. This matters for pasture management, stocking density and insurance cover.
Q Who is responsible if the animals escape and cause damage?
Responsibility for livestock generally rests with the keeper of the animals, which is the grazier in most arrangements. However, liability can be affected by the state of fencing, who was meant to maintain it, and the circumstances of the escape. A clear licence should allocate responsibility for fencing and require the grazier to carry adequate public liability insurance.
Q Do I need a written grazing licence, or is a handshake enough?
A verbal agreement can be legally binding, but it is a poor idea in practice. Without something in writing, there is no reliable record of what was agreed about animals, dates, fees or responsibilities, and disputes become much harder to resolve. A written licence also helps demonstrate that the parties intended a licence rather than a tenancy.
Q Does a grazing licence affect agricultural subsidies or land designations?
It can do. Responsibility for claiming environmental or land management payments, and for meeting the conditions attached to them, needs to be thought through before the licence is signed. Schemes change over time, so it is worth checking current guidance on gov.uk for the rules that apply in the relevant scheme year before committing to an arrangement.
Q Can I end a grazing licence early?
That depends on what the licence says. Some include a right for either party to terminate on notice; others run for a fixed period with no early exit. Ending a licence without a contractual right to do so can expose the landowner to a claim for breach. It is sensible to build a clear termination clause into the document from the outset.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.