In a press release, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds said she was pleased an extra $50,000 in government support, announced late last week, was being made available for farmers in Southland and parts of Otago.
"This money will help provide support for farmers and rural communities in our province, through the likes of the Southland Rural Support Trust and comes on top of an extra $250,000 announced for rural support trusts nationwide in June.
"I think it’s significant that the Government has recognised that things are tough for local farmers — and that help has been provided
"For many, it’s not so much about the money, as it is the acknowledgement of the difficulties that so many of our local farmers are facing.
"I have been concerned about the situation in Southland for weeks now and I have been providing support through my office where needed.
"Local farmers and their families have shared their struggles with me, with the relentless wet weather taking a toll on morale.
"According to weather experts, last month was the wettest September since records began in the 1970s.
"This really underscores just how unusual and severe these conditions have been.
"To make matters worse, farmers have been calving and lambing in recent weeks, a busy and stressful time even in favourable weather.
"Of course, the torrential rain over the past 24 hours has only worsened flooding on some local farmland.
"I live on a farm in Southland myself and I know how disheartening it can be to navigate these challenging conditions.
"Please take the support that’s on offer — keep talking to and looking out for each other — and try and maintain hope that better days lie ahead."
Ms Simmonds said the local situation would continue to be assessed, with decisions on whether further support was needed once the full extent of the damage from the weather events became clearer.
