It’s official! No relief for farmers

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Valley farmers have failed to prove a case for ‘exceptional circumstances’ drought relief.
The Department of Primary Industry (DPI), in a letter to the Shire of Yarra Ranges last week, advised that information provided by agriculture and viticulture operators did not meet the criteria.
With just 10 operators – five viticulture, two beef, two dairy and one organic vegetable grower – sending in data for assessment, the result was one which the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ sustainable agri- business officer, Ian Ada, said had come as no surprise.
A meeting was held in November with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the DPI and industry representatives to look at what was needed to mount an ‘exceptional circumstances’(EC) application.
Information was sent to more than 12 industry organisations.
Mr Ada said on Friday that one of four criteria required for an EC application was that there had been a rare and severe downturn in farm income.
“That’s the bit that could not be demonstrated from the data provided and, therefore, it doesn’t matter whether the other criteria, which the DPI can assess on their own, was met,” he said.
Michael Matthews, spokesperson for the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association, said the news was disappointing, but conceded the poor response by operators would not have supported what he says is the reality – that in the viticulture industry alone, the effect of last year’s frosts and hail and the ongoing drought are taking their toll.
“If the criteria is that it has to be an unusual event we would argue that the frost last year is a one-in-25-year event and that alone would qualify,” he said.
“Viticulture in the Yarra Valley has lost half its production (this season) and it could be as high as 60 or 65 per cent.
“The ongoing effect of that could stretch over two years and I don’t see how that alone doesn’t qualify.”
Mr Matthews said while it was evident operators needed to put in more effort, a more strategic approach needed to be taken to make them aware of just how important their input is.
“I don’t think they realise the importance of their own contribution, and we have to make sure they do,” he said.
The DPI has indicated it may be relevant to reassess the Yarra Valley’s eligibility later in the year, an option Mr Matthews has welcomed.
Judy Anderson, an organic vegetable grower from Steels Creek, is one of the 10 who submitted data.
The Mail reported at the end of last year that Ms Anderson was desperate for water, with both dams on her property empty.
She said her records show the valley has been in drought for at least 12 months and called on farmers to push for a quick reassessment and to provide the DPI with the data they need.
“It’s not everybody’s personality to fill in forms, and there are no weekends off for farmers, but we need this assistance now, not later,” she said.
Ben Hardman, Member for Seymour, said while he had not been flooded with calls from farmers calling for drought relief, which he said may be reflected in the the low number of responses, he urged farmers to let government know if they need help.