Interim drought assistance for Bega Valley farmers

by S. C.

Interim drought assistance will be available to farmers in the Bega Valley area after the Rudd Government agreed to a request from the NSW Government.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said he had asked the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to urgently assess the merits of providing prima facie drought assistance for the area after the request from the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald.

The interim assistance will now be available immediately.

“The Government understands that farmers continue to experience difficult conditions in many parts of Australia,” Mr Burke said.

“The NSW Government put the case that the Bega Valley area has experienced highly variable rainfall over the past year and agricultural production has suffered.

“I have accepted the advice of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the need for interim drought assistance in the Bega Valley area.

“In addition, I have referred the application to the independent National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) to consider whether full Exceptional Circumstances assistance should be granted.

“This interim assistance will now be available for farmers and small businesses until the full NRAC assessment is complete.

“The interim assistance will help to give farmers some certainty while that takes place.”

Bega Valley’s last Exceptional Circumstances declaration ended on 30 September 2008.

Mr Burke said the Government was finalising details of the national review of drought policy to help farmers and rural communities better prepare for the future.

“We recognise that the current system of drawing lines on maps to determine who is eligible for assistance is not working for farmers,” Mr Burke said.