The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams says a submission for Exceptional Circumstances relief for the Delungra region has been rejected.

Senator Williams was today advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig that he has accepted the advice of the National Rural Advisory Council that the area did not meet the criteria.

NRAC representatives inspected the area in October, and later that month it was announced that interim drought assistance in the form of income support payments would be made available.

Senator Williams said it is disappointing for the close to 400 farmers in the application area.

“NRAC has said that not all EC criteria had been met in the application. It conceded conditions had been difficult but found there was a lack of evidence to support a case that a rare and severe downturn in farm income had occurred over a prolonged period.

However, the interim income support will still be available for eligible applicants until the 28^th of April next year”, Senator Williams said.