Primary sector on alert as red rain warnings issued across multiple regions
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
Last week, Rural News reported that the flooding had affected more than 100 farms, with many dairy farms inaccessible for milk collection.
The Government announced on Friday that it will contribute $100,000 to the Southland regional Mayoral Relief Fund.
The funding is going towards Rural Support Trusts to help farming businesses recover.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said on Twitter that the $100,000 is initial funding, with the government assessing over the coming days and weeks.
Andrew Thompson @Pandasport questioned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s whereabouts alongside photos of his work with Federated Farmers volunteer clean-up group, Farmy Army.
#farmyarmy volunteers hard at work in #southland the #forgottonprovince ,it would be nice to see @jacindaardern come down for a look or is #Southland #tooblueforahug @HamishWalkerMP @blairdrysdale77 @GrantMcCallum4 @TheCountry @deanrabbidge @katrinathomas67 @TheMusterShow pic.twitter.com/5hQUVeQizY
— Andrew Thompson (@Pandasport) February 9, 2020
Baron Von Andrew @AndrewNZ20 asked why the media was not sharing concerns about the PM’s lacking Southland presence.
Why hasn't the media asked Jacinda why she has yet to make any attempts to visit the South?
— Baron Von Andrew. (@AndrewNZ20) February 8, 2020
NO wonder there are people who say she's a #PartTimePM always missing in action when it counts. #nzpol
Geoff Booth @GeoffsNZViews posted a popular tweet taking aim at the level of funding provided to Southland.
Agriculture Min Damien O'Connor offers a pathetic $100,000 for Southland flood relief & Southland farmers
— GEOFF BOOTH NZ Politics & Stuff (@GeoffsNZViews) February 5, 2020
However if someone in Gore owns up to having any kind of semiauto, a $10M joint govt/police operation will swing in to action in the town at dawn. #nzpol #SouthlandFlooding https://t.co/WaSYeCj1Oi
If you are a flood-affected farmer interested in having your voice heard in an online article, tweet us at @RuralNews or message us on Facebook.
