Expanded disaster assistance guidelines a win for Queensland horticulture

State industry body for Queensland fruit, vegetable, and nut growers – Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) – has welcomed today’s announcement that will see the definition of a primary producer amended allowing greater access to support under the join Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Changes will mean disaster-affected growers who may have been previously ineligible for assistance in Queensland can apply for support measures like Disaster Recovery Grants, disaster loans and freight subsidies.

QFVG CEO Rachel Chambers welcomed today’s announcement and said this is about ensuring support gets to those who need it.

“We identified in previous disasters that the definition of a primary producer was stopping support getting to those who need it,” Ms Chambers said.

“We thank the State Government for their hard work behind the scenes to make this happen and the Federal Government for understanding the realities of farming which isn’t a straightforward industry in its operations.

“Queensland has always led the way in advocating for fit for purpose disaster support and QFVG will continue to work with all levels of government to ensure our growers have access to a disaster recovery framework that truly supports all growers, reflecting the spirit of resilience that defines Queensland.”