NSW Farmers’ Association annual conference has called for any changes to Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought assistance to include a recovery period of at least two years, with many farmers entering their eighth year of drought.
Association president Jock Laurie says any changes should only be implemented after national consultation.
“This situation has given rise to a degree of uncertainty for farmers on the continuance of assistance in EC declared areas, exacerbated by the current review of national drought policy occurring at the same time as 26 EC declared regions of NSW are being reviewed,” Mr Laurie said.
The Federal Government is conducting a national review of drought policy comprising:
• An economic assessment by the Productivity Commission.
• An assessment of the social impacts of drought by an expert panel.
• A climatic assessment by the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO.
This review process is separate from the current review of Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declarations in NSW.
“The national drought policy, which provides the policy framework for EC drought assistance, makes it clear that the intention of EC assistance is to provide assistance to farmers to manage through the drought, as well as the recovery period,” he said.
“The association is seeking a recovery period of at least two years for the simple reason that people need help, and they need to know that they have it,” he concluded.
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