Angry farmers have demanded that large supplies of hay being exported to China instead be diverted to help drought-stricken landowners who are crying out for the feed to save dying animals.
New South Wales is gripped by the most intense drought of the past 50 years and the harsh conditions across the state have left farmers struggling to feed their livestock, with many forced to put animals down rather than see them starve.
Farmers want the federal and NSW governments to declare a state of emergency, forcing the seizure of hay earmarked for export to China, The Australian has reported.
There is 600,000 tonnes of hay held by exporters held in WA and SA. That stock is to be shipped in the next six months mainly to China and Japan
While hay volumes are at critically low levels for local farmers, the supplies for commercial exporters _ supplied from states not affected by drought _ are packed.
NSW farmer Peter Saunders said the government must keep that hay in Australia.
‘Charity begins at home and we need solutions now, not more heartless responses; the hundreds and thousands of tonnes of hay stored in WA sheds must be requisitioned to keep our local animals alive or, without hay, the whole NSW farming sector will collapse within six months,’ Mr Saunders said.
Hay grower Greg Harvey, who typically supplies horse breeders, said farmers across NSW had been calling non-stop.
The country has had its driest July since 2002, and the driest Autumn since 1902. Farmers across the country are suffering from the intense droughts, and many are losing their livestock
After witnessing the drought first hand as he drove through the hardest-hit areas, he is now convinced it was time to stop exports.
The price of hay has skyrocketed because of the escalating demand and diminishing supply.
There are 600,000 tonnes of hay being held by exporters in WA and SA. That stock is to be shipped in the next six months, and is to meet pre-orders mainly from China and Japan, Australian Fodder Industry Association chief executive John McKew said.
Mr McKew said overseas shipments were only a small percentage of all hay grown in Australia and diverting export supplies to local farmers would do little to alleviate their troubles.
‘We have empathy with those who feel they are missing out on hay and understand the difficulties farmers in NSW are facing with the drought, but this must be kept in perspective,’ he said.
Farmers across the country are suffering from the intense droughts, and many are losing their livestock