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AgForce CEO says more drought support needed

Drought-affected cattle south of Normanton, north-east of Mount isa in north-west Queensland's Gulf Country, on November 15, 2013 - ABC

The New Year has arrived but the wait continues for any sign of the traditional summer wet season in Queensland.

More than 62 per cent of the State is now officially drought-declared following the hottest year on record.

AgForce CEO Charles Burke says without significant rain soon, many primary producers will need additional Government support to manage.

"We're certainly starting to work as hard as we can with both State and Federal Governments to acknowledge how difficult it is at the moment and to accept the fact that this drought has hit hard."

Further adding to weather woes is the Bureau of Meteorology's January-March seasonal outlook which forecasts below average rainfall along with warmer days and warmer nights.

"People are under pressure - they're emotionally, financially and physically exhausted from a prolonged dry spell and we're going to have to start really considering how we're going to help people get through this," says Mr Burke.

While recognising the assistance already provided by the State and Federal Governments has helped, Mr Burke likens the response so far to a school report card comment of "doing ok but can do better".

He says a number of initiatives need to be considered, perhaps even re-visiting the previous exceptional circumstances model or providing labour subsidies and other cash incentives.

"People have significant levels of debt and reduced cash flows so we need to try to find ways to help them and create spending in the community."


- ABC

© ABC 2014

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