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Wednesday, 20 August 2008 The Ricegrowers Association of Australia (RGA) has welcomed the decision of the Australian Government to extend Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance for farmers in the Riverina and the Murray Valley regions although it has signalled that ongoing support will still be required after the 31 March 2009. President of the RGA, Les Gordon, said “Most rice growers have not grown a rice crop for at least the last two years, and although there has been some light rain across the region, water storages remain at very low levels for this time of the year. This means that once again the prospects for a rice crop this year are not good.” “Many growers across the Riverina and Northern Victoria are again facing a year of zero or very low crop incomes. Even if there was significant rain in the very near future and a rice crop could be planted this year, it will be at least another 18 months before any real cash flow can be generated.” Mr Gordon said “We are acutely aware of the hardship endured by individual ricegrowers as a result of the continuing drought. The cumulative effect of a number of years of low or zero production and the prospect of another year without a crop means our industry is in survival mode and any assistance is most welcome.” “EC assistance has meant that eligible ricegrowers have been able to access income support through Centrelink and interest rate subsidies on new or existing loans to assist their farm business survive the drought. The extension of this assistance, at least in the short term, means that those growers will continue to receive help with daily living expenses and to continue to run their businesses until there is sufficient water to return to full food production. “The RGA will continue to assess the impact of this ongoing drought on our Members. On current indications, we will need to make representations to the Minister for a further extension well before the current assistance measures cease on 31 March 2009”, Mr Gordon said. CONTACT |
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