Plans by the Prince of Wales to sell off up to 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall could see more tenant farmers across England asked to buy their farms or move out.
Up to 40 farm holdings across Devon, Cornwall, Herefordshire and the Midlands could be affected by the sale, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).
Locals say talks over the future of nine farms on the Bradninch estate in Devon have already caused "distress" for some tenants who fear they cannot afford to buy.
A spokeswoman said the Duchy could not confirm the total number of tenants affected by the ten-year sale plan , externalbut told the BBC the estate was "supporting them through the process with care and respect".
The Duchy, which covers around 51,800 hectares (128,000 acres) in 19 counties, plans to use the £500m raised from the property and land sale over the next decade to invest in local communities, affordable housing and environmental projects.
Former GP Mary Ryan, a local Lib Dem councillor who has lived near the Bradninch estate for around 35 years and is supporting the farmers, said some of those affected were "experiencing enormous mental and emotional distress" as a result of the planned sell-off.
She added that while the Duchy had reportedly apologised to tenants last month, the handling of…
