Editorial: Sensible move
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
The Feds have also had teams on the ground and in the air reaching out to farms at the end of long and winding roads all over North Canterbury and Marlborough, checking how they fared and what they need.
The national farming organisation’s Adverse Events Trust Fund was reactivated mid-week and more than $21,000 has been received. One $10,000 donation came from a farmer keen to help South Island counterparts with emergency supplies, farm equipment, essential tools and materials.
Offers of assistance via the 0800 FARMING line out-number requests for assistance ten to one, underlining both the willingness of New Zealand’s farming community to help their colleagues but probably also that road and telecommunications links were only restored for some areas by the end of last week.
Of the 31 requests for help, the most common issues were accommodation, water for stock and humans, fuel, generators, transport and on-farm workers.
Dealing with slips and fractures on roads is proving to be one of the biggest issues for farms, Federated Farmers adverse events spokesperson Katie Milne says.
Milk tankers haven’t been able to get in to some areas.
"North Canterbury beef and deer farmers only just starting to recover from two years of drought had been keen to get fattened stock and velvet out to markets to get premium prices, but the damage to roads by earthquakes had frustrated that chance to get bank balances moving in the right direction again," Katie says.
"Also, fuel is critical at this time as farmers need to get winter crops sown so there is feed for animals next winter."
The Federated Farmers 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) line remains open for help offers/requests. It’s also the number to call to make a donation to the Adverse Events Trust Fund, or bank online: 06-0594-0028181-00, Reference: Earthquake.
