The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams will seek an explanation as to why a portion of the Bundarra drought submission has not been accepted for Exceptional Circumstances.

Senator Williams said he is relieved that a target area comprising 120 farmers has been approved by Minister Burke on the recommendation of NRAC, but is mystified why three adjoining buffer zones have been left out.

The buffer zones contain approximately 45 farms spread over 17 parishes stretching from north-west of Barraba through to the Delungra area, Stannifer through to Moredun, and an area south of Camerons Creek to Torryburn.

"It was pointed out in the submission that properties in the buffer zones are experiencing similar drought conditions and impacts to those in the target area.

The 5th percentile rainfall amount for the Bureau of Meteorology's Bundarra weather station is 502 mm for a 12-month period. In the 12 months from December 2008 to November 2009, 79% of farms in the buffer zones recorded rainfall less than this amount so this criteria has been met.

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Across the district incomes are expected to drop by as much as 40 percent as stock are offloaded and feed is brought in for those remaining. One farmer in the buffer zone told me he has had to start selling equipment to maintain a cash flow.

Before we ask for a review of the decision not to accept the buffer zones, we need to understand NRAC's reasoning for it. I have written to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke seeking those reasons", Senator Williams said.