Support promised to devastated farmers

Severely stressed farmers, left devastated from stock loss and damaged land from torrential rain are being encouraged to contact Horizons Regional Council for support.

Chairman of Horizons Garrick Murfitt has been fielding calls from desperate farmers who are struggling after weeks of heavy rain.

‘’A number of dairy sheds are suffering, with surface water from heavy rain causing problems, lambs have died, saturated land is making some farms inaccessible, and some farmers have almost no dry areas left to feed stock,’’ says Mr Murfitt.

Adding to the stress, the extreme wet has left some farmers struggling to manage effluent.

Mr Murfitt is urging any farmers worried they could breach their consents to contact the council, or their field officer.

“The council knows the huge stresses people are under and will make support and assistance to farmers a top priority.

“Don’t be afraid to call us, we’re not just going to slap you with a non-compliance, we understand there has been an extreme weather event and want to help farmers put it right.

“Our officers want to support the rural community through a very bleak period.’’

The council has been rallying to support the rural community since the first of two flood events in two weeks hit the region on September 6.

Staff have been working in rural areas for the past few weeks, running pump systems to drain floodwater.

ENDS

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