FARMERS and small businesses in Victoria's Latrobe and Macalister Irrigation Districts will have drought support reinstated for at least six months.
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said interim income support had been granted for up to six months while the two areas were re-assessed for full Exceptional Circumstances eligibility.
The two areas, which had their previous EC assistance terminated in September last year, were the only bushfire-affected areas not currently getting EC support, Mr Burke said.
“The National Rural Advisory Council will look at whether seasonal drought conditions have negatively impacted on farm income and production and whether full EC assistance should be re-instated,'' he said.
The move followed a recent request from Victorian Agriculture Minister Joe Helper, Mr Burke said.
“Two weeks ago I informed parliament that any previous argument that a recovery had begun in these two areas now needed serious review,'' he said.
“This interim assistance will help to give farmers in these areas some certainty in the coming months while the re-building process continues.''
