EXCEPTIONAL circumstances assistance will be cut to three areas of Tasmania and Victoria following a review of circumstances.

Agriculture Minister Tony Burke will cut assistance to South and West Gippsland in Victoria and Central Midlands and FlindersIsland in Tasmania as of April 30.

The decision follows advice from the National Rural Advisory Council, which had reviewed five areas.

Assistance will continue to central and East Gippsland as well as the Cooma/Bombala area of NSW/ACT.

Mr Burke said the Government had accepted the NRAC’s advice but recognised that many farmers continued to face difficult conditions across Australia.

“The drought continues to place extraordinary pressure on many farming families across Australia,” Mr Burke said.