MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has asked the NSW Premier to seek additional natural disaster assistance for farmers in the north-west areas of the electorate following the widespread failure of crops.

Mr Torbay said heavy rains and flooding across the region late last year effectively destroyed bumper crops ready to harvest.

"The state government can seek additional support from the Commonwealth for flood-affected primary producers including low-interest loans, clean up funds and recovery grants," Mr Torbay said. "I have asked the NSW Premier, the Hon Barry O'Farrell, to take into consideration the dire circumstances in which these farmers now find themselves.

"I have spoken to farmers in Delungra, Inverell and the Bonshaw area who are facing the heartbreak of a bumper harvest now left to rot in fields that are too soggy for machinery to even turn a wheel.”

© 2011 Tenterfield Star

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