23 Oct 2008

Drought recovery scheme to end

6:10 am on 23 October 2008

The Government will stop accepting requests from farmers for drought recovery help on 31 December.

Rural assistance payments were introduced in March.

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton says the special recovery measures are no longer needed, but payments will continue until 30 March next year.

The National Drought Committee says there has been sufficient rain around the country and farmers are now in a much better situation.