NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald today urged eligible farmers across the State to apply for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) business assistance before next month’s deadline.

The annual cut-off date for the Extended Recovery Periods of business support for farmers in the following Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB’s) is 31 March 2008:

• Dubbo and Walgett;
• Divisions B, C and D of Armidale,
• part Division A of Coonabarabran,
• Divisions A, B, D and part Division C of Coonamble,
• the Central Mudgee-Merriwa area,
• rice producers irrigated from the Murray River in the Murray,
• Division A and part Division B of Narrabri,
• part Divisions A and D of Northern New England,
• rice producers irrigated from the Murray River in the Riverina; and
• stone fruit producers in Young

"The EC business support program can help farmers meet the challenges of this extended drought," Mr Macdonald said.

"Under National Guidelines, producers in EC-declared areas must lodge a separate application for each declared period if they wish to receive business support from the Federal Government.

"Under the scheme, eligible farmers can access interest rate subsidies of up to $100,000 a year, for up to five years, on new and existing loans."

If farmers are not sure that they meet EC eligibility criteria, they should immediately contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) on 1800 678 593.

The RAA has so far received more than 30,000 applications for interest rate subsidies from the State’s farmers.  Of these, more than 25 000, or over 84% have been approved, with a value of more than $780 million.

"Whilst EC is a Federal Government program, the State Government contributes 10% of the value of EC interest rate subsidies," Mr Macdonald explained.

"This is one part of more than $365 million committed by the NSW Government in drought support measures since July 2002."

Media contact: Jason Bartlett, 0438 209 281 / Trudy Glasgow 0427 217 354