The pace of new law-making in the 1980s, and the changed role of farmers, has necessitated a third edition of this book. New chapters are included on access to the countryside, alternative uses of farm land, and milk quotas. The abolition of domestic rating, the introduction of community charges and a new system of non-domestic rating, and new housing, employment and planning laws have compelled a complete recasting of the chapters on these subjects. The other chapters have been revised and updated and those on wayleaves and watery subjects now take into account that new bodies under new laws have emerged from the privatization of the gas, electricity and water supply industries.