Drought declared on East Coast

Federated Farmers has welcomed the decision to declare an area of the North Island's East Coast a drought area.

Rain was finally falling in the Gisborne/Wairoa area yesterday as the region's drought was declared to be a small-scale adverse event.

Agriculture Minister David Carter yesterday met the local drought committee, which declared the region a drought area.

The Government has agreed to relief measures. Federated Farmers is also reactivating its 0800 drought line (0800 376-844).