Drought aid cut disappoints VFF
Posted
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is expressing disappointment at the recommendation to stop drought Exceptional Circumstances (EC) funding for central and east Gippsland.
The Federal Government has announced drought EC will be cut off from September.
Other drought affected areas of the state will continue to get funding until at least March next year.
VFF president Simon Ramsay says the cost to continue drought help for Gippsland would be minimal.
"NRAC's [National Rural Advisory Council] recommendation to the Minister, I don't believe we can blame the Minister on this issue, it's more NRAC's position on the declarations here in Victoria," he said.
"We'll be speaking to both DPI [the Department of Primary Industries] and NRAC having an understanding on the basis of their recommendations."
