Most of Australia Farmland Drought-Stricken
Pastor Dale Morgan
Oct 25, 4:32 PM EDT
*
Most of Australia Farmland Drought-Stricken*
By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press Writer
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Australia's worst drought in a century has
affected more than half of Australia's farm and ranch land, making more
than 70,000 farmers eligible for special federal relief, the government
said Tuesday.
The cost of additional drought aid in interest rate subsidies and farmer
welfare payments under so-called exceptional circumstances could be $424
million, said acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile.
That's in addition to $263 million announced last week in extra
government handouts for farmers hit hardest by the drought.
"We are in uncharted waters, if you like, as far as this drought is
concerned," said Vaile, who is standing in for Prime Minster John Howard
while he is overseas.
"I don't know that we've seen this much of Australia's land mass covered
by drought in the past, and it requires a significant response," he said.
Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said the number of farmers eligible
for the emergency support had increased by 10,000 to 72,000.
Much of Australia's farming and ranching belt in the south and southeast
has been in the grip of a severe drought for up to five years, with
rainfall levels far below average, causing problems especially for grain
crops such as wheat and barley.
Many officials blame global warming, and some warn that land that has
been fertile for hundreds of years may have an uncertain future.