A second attempt to gain Exceptional Circumstances relief for the Delungra region has been denied.

The Nationals Duty Senator for New England John Williams says he has been advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig that in the absence of what he considers new or additional information, the original National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) decision will not be altered.

The application had been for Exceptional Circumstances for the 12 months period from May 2009 to April 2010.

But Senator Williams disputes the claim that new information was not provided. He said following NRAC's first refusal late last year, supporting evidence was obtained from farmers' accountants and from rural firms that are in contact with them virtually every day.

"Their information pointed to the opposite.

NRAC claimed there had not been a rare and prolonged downturn in the farmers' income. But a local accountancy firm said that differed from its own observations in dealing with the farmers and preparing their accounting reports.

It is disappointing this expertise and local knowledge on the ground is not given more credence rather than a series of graphs and charts.

I thank the Delungra farming community for their patience and perseverance through this whole process", Senator Williams said.