Bay farmers offered more flood help

Farmers affected by the floods in December are also able to access the Agricultural Recovery Package. Picture / Alan Gibson

Bay of Plenty farmers hit by floods last July and December will be able to get help, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton announced yesterday.

Farmers had been entitled to assistance for damage caused in July's floods but now those who were also hit by the December floods could access the Agricultural Recovery Package. The deadline for submissions is extended until August 1.

Enhanced Taskforce Green assistance would be extended until March from December.

Farmers can get grants of 75 per cent to restore uninsurable damaged property above a threshold of $5000 or 10 per cent of restoration costs - whichever is higher.

Mr Sutton said ministers had accepted it was impossible to distinguish between damage caused by the two events and that subsequent damage was worse because of the initial floods.

- NZPA