DAIRY farmers with credit issues are being urged to speak to their banks as soon as possible.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh met the big four banks last week after a discussion with new lobby group Farmer Power a fortnight ago at Terang.
"I met with the banking representatives ... to discuss the positive medium to longer-term outlook of the industry in terms of export markets and increased demand from processors," Mr Walsh said.
"The bank representatives were very receptive. Their main message was that those in the dairy industry who might have issues with their credit should talk to them as soon as possible."
Mr Walsh also said banks would take a longer-term view when dealing with dairy farmers.
He said the Victorian Government introduced a $3.5 million Farm Debt Mediation Scheme in late 2011 to provide farmers with "the security of knowing a financial institution cannot simply take possession of their property to recover debt".
- The scheme is run through Victorian Rural Financial Counselling Service and Mr Walsh said any dairy farmers in difficulty should phone 1800 686 175.
