Southeast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) director Thomas Ross visited Cooma last week and said the evidence was strong when it came to extending EC in Cooma.

Last month the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) conducted a review tour of three properties in the Region. Local LHPA director Winston Phillips accompanied the tour group, which visited a property on the Tom Groggin Road, at Shannons Flat and another near Bombala.

The NRAC has passed its recommendations to the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke. The decision could take some time and Mr Burke is not bound to follow NRAC recommendations.

“The Bega Valley [EC] application took six months and we found out in October it was successful,” Mr Ross said.

“In 2009 we processed 2,900 drought declaration forms and delivered $4.2 million back to landholders. We think the evidence is pretty strong for [drought declaration of] the whole of Eurobodalla, Cooma and Bombala,” Mr Ross said.

In addition to assisting with bureaucratic relief channels, the LHPA has found itself distributing charity to landholders. In 2009 the LHPA made five fodder drops in the southeast region including one in Berridale.

Mr Ross said Ando and Bemboka would soon receive donated fodder drops. A South Australian farmer has so far donated seven lots of 59 large bales of fodder.

“It’s a lot of donated fodder but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what people are buying in,” Mr Ross said.

“If landholders need advice or support we’re here to assist as much as we can,” Mr Ross said.