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De International Herald Tribune bericht:

'More Than Half Australia's Farmland Drought-Stricken, Government Says The Associated Press
Tuesday 24 October 2006
Canberra, Australia - More than half of Australia's farm and ranch land is now drought-stricken and an additional 10,000 farmers are eligible for special federal relief, the government said Tuesday.
Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile said the area eligible for special drought relief has been increased to more than half the nation's farmland, up from a third, as its worst drought in a century bites deeper.
"We are in uncharted waters, if you like, as far as this drought is concerned," Vaile told reporters.
Further government measures could be needed, he said.
"I don't know that we've seen this much of Australia's land mass covered by drought in the past, and it requires a significant response," said Vaile, standing in for Prime Minister John Howard, who is on an overseas trip.
The cost of additional drought aid in interest rate subsidies and farmer welfare payments under so-called exceptional circumstances could be 560 million Australian dollars (US$424 million; €338 million), Vaile said.
"This will take the area of Australia's agricultural land that is now covered by exceptional circumstances support to beyond 50 percent," Vaile said.
Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said the number of farmers eligible for the emergency support had increased by 10,000 to 72,000.
The new money builds on A$350 million (US$263 million; €210 million) announced by Howard last week in extra government handouts for farmers hit hardest by the drought.
Much of Australia's farming and ranching belt in the south and southeast has been in the grip of a severe drought for up to five years, with rainfall levels far below average, causing problems especially for grain crops such as wheat and barley.
Many officials blame global warming, and some warn that land that has been fertile for hundreds of years may have an uncertain future.'

Zie: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/24/asia/AS_GEN_Australia_Drought.php Of:
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/102406EC.shtml