drying up in Oz

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More Than Half Australia's Farmland Drought-Stricken, Government Says

The Associated Press

 

Tuesday 24 October 2006

 

Canberra, Australia - More than half of Australia's farm and ranch land is

now drought-stricken and an additional 10,000 farmers are eligible for special

federal relief, the government said Tuesday.

 

Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile said the area eligible for special drought

relief has been increased to more than half the nation's farmland, up from a

third, as its worst drought in a century bites deeper.

 

" We are in uncharted waters, if you like, as far as this drought is

concerned, " Vaile told reporters.

 

Further government measures could be needed, he said.

 

" 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, " said Vaile,

standing in for Prime Minister John Howard, who is on an overseas trip.

 

The cost of additional drought aid in interest rate subsidies and farmer

welfare payments under so-called exceptional circumstances could be 560 million

Australian dollars (US$424 million; €338 million), Vaile said.

 

" This will take the area of Australia's agricultural land that is now

covered by exceptional circumstances support to beyond 50 percent, " Vaile said.

 

Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said the number of farmers eligible for

the emergency support had increased by 10,000 to 72,000.

 

The new money builds on A$350 million (US$263 million; €210 million)

announced by Howard last week in extra government handouts for farmers hit

hardest by the drought.

 

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.

 

 

" Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England,

nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the

leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter

to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship,

or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people

can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have

to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for

lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any

country. "

- General Herman Goering, President of German Reichstag & Nazi Party, Commander

of Luftwaffe