MEMBER for Roe Dr Graham Jacobs says he hopes a bipartisan approach to drought relief in the Esperance region can be formulated in time to help farmers in Grass Patch, Scaddan and Condingup who are currently struggling under drought conditions.

Dr Jacobs said that in the last week he has been alarmed at reports from farmers in the area, as well as the Department of Food and Agriculture WA (DAFWA), that point to a drought continuing through this year and well into 2009.

“I know of farmers in the area that are already carting fodder,” Dr Jacobs said.

“If we had a decent rainfall today, it would still take six weeks for that fodder to come through, so to say some regions around Esperance are in the grip of a drought is somewhat of an understatement … Scaddan has had 49 millimetres of rain in the past year.”

Dr Jacobs said he had discussed the issue with climate experts at DAFWA, and he had been advised that no relief was in sight.

“DAFWA tell me they have four main indicators for rainfall from the Indian Ocean, and none of those indicators are predicting any rain for Scaddan, Grass Patch or Condingup.

“I called DAFWA minister Kim Chance on Wednesday and he was very receptive to the need for a drought relief strategy, and I think he realises the urgency with which farmers in the area need some relief.”

Dr Jacobs said he has called for the reactivation of the Dry Seasons Committee, under Dexter Davies, to advise and draw up a drought risk management plan.

“We need to be proactive in the case that we don’t get any rain, because if we wait for six weeks it is going to be too late.

Many farmers are importing fodder and carting water, many crops are not planted yet, and the feed is short or non-existent.

“We need to get on the front foot now, if our fears and predictions are realised.”

Dr Jacobs said that Mr Chance agreed to the measures he suggested and has agreed to attend a summit in the region in the coming weeks.