January 18, 2007

Australia offers drought assistance to New Zealand dairy farmers

Australian federal agriculture minister has supported a call to extend drought support to New Zealand dairy farmers living and working in Australia.

The United Dairy Farmers of Victoria (UDV) has been pushing for 150 farmers in the state to be included in the exceptional circumstances scheme.

Peter McGauran said he was sympathetic to their plight but asserted it would require a major realignment of existing government policy.