October 10, 2006

For cattle farmers in Australia's drought areas, a little help goes a long way

Cattle farmers in central Australia and the Northern Territories are appealing to the government for aid as a prolonged drought drains away the last of their resources. 

Stuart Kenny, executive director of the Cattlemen's Association, said more than 20 stations south of Alice Springs, the heart of Australia, were struggling due to the severe drought. Northern Territory pastoralists have also asked the government to waive their annual lease payments.

Twelve of the stations, which cover 200,000 square kilometres and produce 60,000 cattle, have already sought assistance under the NT government's drought-relief package. The package allows farmers in their second year of drought ply for subsidies to move cattle, concessional loans and interest-free subsidies.

The loans, which only goes up to AUS$60,000 (US$44,660) is not enough, Kenny said.

Farmers have also been denied the federal government's drought assistance because of means testing, Kenny said.

However, the NT government has provided some relief after the Cattleman's Association asked it to cover lease payments for the 12 drought-declared stations, and others who failed to apply for assistance.

The amount would probably total more than AUS$100,000, he said.

Although the sum may be paltry, it would be a gesture from the government to show understanding of the problems that cattle farmers are going through, Kenny said.