Penny Simmonds: Govt Drought Funding Doesn’t Go Far Enough

The Government’s drought declaration for the South, is big on talk, but small on funding support, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.“While I’m pleased that the Agriculture Minister has recognised the hardship local farmers are experiencing, by declaring a medium-scale adverse drought event, I don’t believe the funding support goes far enough.“This adverse event classification will only release about $100,000 in funding, from now until October 2022. That equates to just $3500 a week, to support hundreds of farmers right across Southland, the Clutha and the Queenstown Lakes districts. It just won’t be enough.

“Things are really dire in the South – just today Environment Southland took the unprecedented step of issuing a Water Shortage Direction for the whole province, meaning irrigation water takes must cease immediately.

“This will create more challenges and more stress for farmers, and they’re going to need a lot of support to get through one of the driest years the province has experienced, since records began 50 years ago.

“Based on the current situation, I don’t think the Government’s drought funding will be able to cover the demands placed on Southland and Otago’s Rural Support Trusts, Federated Farmers, primary sector groups and councils – and it certainly won’t ‘go the extra mile’ that Damien O’Connor suggests that it will.

“The primary sector in the South has kept this country going during the two-year Covid pandemic, now when our farmers are in need the Government has offered them a pittance. It’s disappointing and insulting.”

Penny Simonds and National’s Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger will attend a Drought Shout at Wyndham tonight, to listen to farmers and show them support.