Help available for flood-hit farmers
The chair of the Otago Rural Support Trust, Tom Pinckney, says he believes that they will be especially busy in the coming months as the enormity of the floods hit home.
“Claimants can write back to us pointing out why they believe our assessments are incorrect and can provide further evidence of their losses. At the same time they can still bank the compensation payment,” said an MPI spokesman.
“If claimants are still unhappy they have rights under section 162a of the Biosecurity Act to take us to arbitration.”
MPI was responding to questions about Fernside Jersey breeder Peter Hansen, denied compensation for MPI’s blocking his importation of four Jersey cows from Australia.
While Hansen believes he is the only affected farmer so far denied compensation, MPI said this is not so.
“Others [have] claims in dispute. Some claimants are questioning the compensation payment but we are unable to provide further information for privacy reasons.”
By late April MPI had received 95 claims for compensation assessed at $5.8 million, and had paid out $3.22m. None of the claims then received related to the 28 farms whose herds were to be culled.
Meanwhile, the latest update lists 32 infected farms, and 53 properties under Restricted Place Notices.
MPI insists it cannot name affected farms because of the Privacy Act.
“This is the case for all farms under controls, whether it’s because they have a positive M.bovis infection status or because they are under suspicion and undergoing testing.
“Sometimes a property is under restrictions when there’s considered to be even a low risk of disease. These affected farmers have a right to privacy and it is up to them whether or not they want to inform others of the situation.”
Properties under RPNs may not move animals on or off premises without permission from MPI. While properties under notice of direction (NoD) must apply for a permit to move animals off their premises, they are free to move animals on to their property.
MPI said several farms are being tested without having a risk that requires movement restrictions. They are not legally required to take any special measures and may operate as usual.
