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Media Release |
30 June 2006
MAF action on snow relief for farmers
MAF has carried out a regional feed assessment covering 4,000 Mid and South Canterbury farms following the 12 June snowfall.
MAF Policy South Island team leader John Greer said that while the immediate situation is manageable, the assessment shows feed could be short later in the winter.
³There are a number of damaged crops that can be grazed off, so farmers do not need to rush decisions. However, they do need to begin planning for feed requirements and start placing orders for feed.
³Most farmers will be doing this already. The rural support offices MAF has established will co-ordinate assistance with this. The aim is to have volunteers who are able to support farmers with their planning. From experience with previous events we know that this has been a useful service for farmers.
³Every farm and household that requires support will receive it. The first priority is to ensure there is sufficient support for farmers to make good operational decisions, therefore ensuring there are no animal welfare issues later in the winter,² he said.
MAF has appointed rural support facilitators in Ashburton, Timaru, Fairlie and Waimate to co-ordinate assistance to farmers and households struggling in the aftermath of the snow.
In Ashburton, former commercial and rural banker Barry Vessey will be based in the Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers office in the role. An Ashburton local, with strong farming ties to the Westerfield area, Barry has been heavily involved in a number of Mid Canterbury community organisations, as well as working as a community representative for WINZ.
In Timaru, Peter Clarke, also a former banker and investment advisor, has been appointed as rural support facilitator. Peter has a long association with Timaru and spent the last 15 years of his banking career working with farmers. He has also served as a drought representative on the South Canterbury Rural Assistance Trust.
In Fairlie, Terry O¹Connell will fill the role, based in the Mackenzie District Council offices. Terry has lived and worked in and around Fairlie for most of his life in a career including farming, working in the stock industry and motel ownership.
In Waimate the rural support facilitator will be Maurice Hellewell, based at Waimate District Council offices. Maurice has lived, worked and managed properties in the snow-effected communities around Waimate all his life. He works as a TB tester for Asure and owns a small farm at Ikawai.
MAF has also established an 0800 help line - 0800 2DEFROST (0800 233 376) - for rural people requiring assistance and for volunteers wishing to help.
Volunteers will ideally have a farming background, or at least be familiar with rural issues, and be able to make contact with those farmers and rural families that may be struggling, either in the home or on the farm.
The 0800 number will be operational from midday Saturday 1 July. In the meantime, anyone requiring assistance should contact their local Civil Defence office.
Further information: John Greer - 03 358 1864/0274 327 692
Further Government Action in Snow-hit Canterbury
(Beehive Press Release dated 10.07.06)
