Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said revised EC boundaries means eligible farmers in the following areas can still access drought support:

· Bourke Rural Lands Protection Board, NSW;

· parts of Winton Shire Council in the former North West Ashy Downs region, Queensland;

· Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, part of Scenic Rim Regional Council in the former Southern South East (Lockyer Valley), Qld; and

· parts of Banana Shire Council and Gladstone Regional Council in the former Burnett Addendum region, Qld.

NRAC recently reviewed these areas as their current EC declarations expire on Sunday.

But it had determined not to extend EC drought support because the majority of farmers had experienced improved conditions.

However, NRAC also advised the Federal Government that some farmers in distinct areas within those regions had not received effective rain.

Mr Burke then urged NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald and Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tim Mulherin to submit revised boundary applications to the Council.

"The NRAC agreed with their suggestions for revised Exceptional Circumstances boundaries and the Rudd Government has supported the move," Mr Burke said today.

"Farmers in these revised areas can now continue to access drought assistance, including income support and interest rate subsidies, until 15 June 2009."