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Mixed reactions from Tasmanian farmers
18 Sep 2007
Tasmanian farmers have expressed both their relief and frustration following the announcement federal government's drought assistance package. Diane and John Fowler who run a sheep and cattle property said that they have already reduced their stock by 30 per cent as they have only had 200mm of rain this year, compared with an average annual total of 560mm. The remaining stock require supplemented feed which has cost the family one year's income. Ms Fowler said of the assistance package "About time, we've nearly bled to death". The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association could not understand why the relief funds were made available to the whole state when farmers in only certain central and northern districts had applied for it. Association president Roger Swain said, "I'm a little bit floored over it. They seem to have decided it is simpler to cover the whole state, given the size of the state, to save a lot of paperwork".
The Australian, 18/09/2007
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