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Monday, 13 December 2004 The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc (RGA) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) submission for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) was formally lodged to the Hon. Warren Truss, Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry today. The RGA has spent many months working with the NSW DPI in formulating its application for financial assistance for rice growers experiencing severe hardship in the Murray Valley. “We have put forward a sound EC submission based on the ongoing climatic conditions affecting the viability of many rice farm businesses in the Murray Valley and must now wait for Minister Truss’s announcement due to take place early next year,” said Mr Laurie Arthur, President of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia. “Our submission met all the criteria set out by the Federal Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry however we cannot be guaranteed that our application will be successful,” said Mr Arthur. The criteria set by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry states that the application must demonstrate the following: * That the situation was rare (a one in 20-25 year event) and severe; * That it has resulted in a severe downturn in farm income over a prolonged period (e.g. more than 12 months) for a significant number of farmers in a region or industry; and * That it was not predictable or part of a process of structural adjustment The submission will receive a preliminary assessment against the EC Criteria and if the initial assessment warrants, the application will be referred onto to the National Resources Advisory Committee, for an independent analysis with a further recommendation made to the Minister. A prima facie EC announcement should be made within two weeks and a full EC decision must be made within eight weeks. CONTACT |
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