Drought committee aims to help struggling farmers

The National Drought Committee, set up to help struggling farmers, met for the first time in Wellington on Thursday.

The committee was formed following a meeting of about 30 agricultural and horticultural industry leaders at Parliament last week.

It aims to find ways of helping farmers with the financial and psychological stress which result from prolonged dry conditions.

Officials from government agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Social Development, Inland Revenue, the Treasury and Civil Defence will have input into the committee's work.

The committee will prepare information on all services available and ensure it is given to rural support trusts, rural women's networks and to rural accountants and other advisers, so farmers understand what their entitlements to assistance are.