ID :
16404
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 00:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/16404
The shortlink copeid
Drought payments to continue
The federal government will continue cash payments to drought-stricken farmers as the big dry persists.
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke announced drought aid - called ExceptionalCircumstances (EC) funding - will be extended for 32 areas.
Farmers and businesses in the areas, which are mostly in NSW and Victoria, will nowreceive EC payments until 31 March next year.
Four different areas will lose their EC funding from September 30 this year becausethe weather has improved, Mr Burke said. Those areas are also in NSW and Victoria.
Mr Burke said he had accepted the recommendations of the National Rural AdvisoryCouncil, which reviewed all EC funding due to expire this September.
"The fact that drought assistance has been extended in 32 areas shows that farmers continue to struggle with the drought in many parts of the country, despite recentrainfall in certain areas," he said.
The government has set aside $760 million for EC payments for 2008-09.
More information on the areas affected by Mr Burke's announcement is availablethrough the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke announced drought aid - called ExceptionalCircumstances (EC) funding - will be extended for 32 areas.
Farmers and businesses in the areas, which are mostly in NSW and Victoria, will nowreceive EC payments until 31 March next year.
Four different areas will lose their EC funding from September 30 this year becausethe weather has improved, Mr Burke said. Those areas are also in NSW and Victoria.
Mr Burke said he had accepted the recommendations of the National Rural AdvisoryCouncil, which reviewed all EC funding due to expire this September.
"The fact that drought assistance has been extended in 32 areas shows that farmers continue to struggle with the drought in many parts of the country, despite recentrainfall in certain areas," he said.
The government has set aside $760 million for EC payments for 2008-09.
More information on the areas affected by Mr Burke's announcement is availablethrough the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
