Wednesday, 21 November 2007

Sykes calls for easier access to drought and Equine Influenza assistance

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has asked the State Government to review eligibility criteria for assistance for people affected by drought and Equine Influenza.

Dr Sykes made this request in Parliament this week in response to several constituents reporting their inability to access the Government’s $3,000 On Farm Productivity Grant because either:-

• the Shire they live in is not classified as one of the 20 most severely affected Shires in Victoria even though it is EC declared by the Commonwealth Government; or
   
• they earn too much off farm income ie. they are being penalised for trying to earn additional off farm income to meet massive drought related farm costs.

Dr Sykes said, “In relation to Equine Influenza, I have previously raised the issue of assistance for agricultural shows and horse event organisers needing to be extended to include events scheduled into early 2008.

“I am now advised that the process recently put in place to bring back horses held in NSW because of the ‘lock down’ involves four weeks quarantine at a cost of over $3,000 per horse.

“This is a hefty additional cost to horse owners and I request that the Government review the cost structure for the quarantine process to make it more affordable, especially for those grappling with the ‘double whammy’ of drought and Equine Influenza.

Dr Sykes continued, “The much publicised Government assistance measures have restrictive eligibility criteria which makes many deserving people ineligible for much needed assistance.

“In addition to raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, I have spoken directly to the Minister for Agriculture on the matter and written to him requesting that he review the eligibility criteria.”

“The financial and emotional impact of the drought is still not fully appreciated by the Melbourne centric Labor Government. Equally, the impact of Equine Influenza control measures on owners of recreation horses has not been appreciated nor adequately addressed by the Brumby Government.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I will continue to lobby the State Labor Government to ensure that assistance measures have realistic eligibility criteria so that deserving people can be given a helping hand in these tough times.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989