WATER AND AGISTMENT CRISIS
Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur MP has raised concerns regarding the crisis occurring in fire affected farming areas where livestock either have no water or their water is contaminated.
Mrs McArthur said there is an urgent need to relocate cattle from farms, which have been affected by the recent bushfires to other unaffected properties that have both fenced land and a ready water supply, suitable for cattle. If extra feed is required, some of the hay that might have otherwise been delivered to fire affected areas can be used to feed the stock in a new agisted location.
She also planned to work with local councils, which have ‘out-of-control’ roadside vegetation, as the ‘long paddock’ might be the only location left to save thousands of livestock.
Mrs McArthur called on farmers in unaffected areas and local councils to help by offering the ‘bottom paddock’ and the ‘long paddock’.
Quotes attributed to Bev McArthur MP:
“This is a crisis with the bushfires burning agricultural land and contaminating water supplies, farmers desperately require agistment and clean water for their stock.”
“Not only have many of these farms been affected by both drought and fire, they are now facing catastrophic water shortages – this is the last straw for many in the agriculture industry.”
“We have quite rightly ensured all humans have fresh, uncontaminated water; we now need to make sure livestock are equally catered for. The last thing we need in this crisis is to see stock dying of thirst”
“This is also not a charity issue. Most well managed farming operations have insurance cover with provision for agistment, transport and even feed costs. The need is for spare paddocks to save stock from dying of thirst.”
“I will use all means at my disposal to ensure we save livestock and support out farmers.”
Mrs McArthur issued an urgent plea to any farmer with spare land to contact contact her office or Richard Beggs, a Glenthompson farmer who is helping to connect desperate stock owners to land owners outside fire ravaged areas.
ENDS
11 January 2019