Farmers urged to check EC status
Posted
Farmers are being urged to check if they will still be eligible to get Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought funding next month.
Farmers in the Tamworth, Coonabarabran, Narrabri, and Bingara districts are among those who will lose EC status on September 30.
The New South Wales Farmers Association says where once rural lands protection boards were included in EC funding, separate divisions are now being treated on their own merits
Its president, Jock Laurie, says it paints a confusing picture for farmers who are unsure if they will still get funding when some payments run out.
"We've got to continue to press the Government whenever there's a need," he said.
"I don't think there's any doubt, all the reviews done at the moment show EC has been a great benefit to the industry - not only the industry but the communities that rely on the industry."
"We've got to make sure we continue to lobby the Government in relation to drought areas, and if area's are missing out, to put a case as to why they should be included."
