Quick answer for flooded farmers

The Government is promising to deal quickly with appeals for help from East Coast farmers whose crops were devastated by Labour weekend floods.

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, who visited the region to assess the damage, said it had been a traumatic experience for farmers. "The issue requires urgency," he said yesterday.

Flooded farmers put their case to Mr Anderton in a report outlining crop and wages losses of more than $10 million.

They want a clean-up and replanting package similar to that following last year's Manawatu flood.

Mr Anderton said he and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, who has also visited the area, would put a case for assistance at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.

- NZPA