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Help non-viable farmers leave the land
23 Jun 2005
A study commissioned by the Queensland Government found the general community was more likely than farmers to support taxpayer assistance to farm businesses during droughts. That's because farmers know the rackets their neighbours get up to and efficient farmers increasingly resent it. The inability of politicians to stick with policy rules has been demonstrated by the federal government, which has changed the rules again for exceptional circumstances assistance, making it more generous. An alternative proposal from Victoria’s Department of Agriculture suggests a scheme that involves incentives that would allow governments to recognise viable and non-viable rural businesses and target assistance accordingly. Viable farmers would receive assistance to prepare for drought and other risks, non-viable farmers would get assistance to exit the industry.
The Australian, 21/03/06
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