Alliance group donates $500,000 to relief fund for farmers affected by storm

Alliance Group Ltd has initiated the establishment of a relief fund for farmers affected by the severe weather events which have occurred over the past week, especially in the south. The company will donate $500,000 to the fund.

In making the announcement, Chief Executive Grant Cuff said the company was working with Federated Farmers who will administer the fund. Federated Farmers has experience in this area and Mr Cuff said it also made sense that organisations wanting to help farmers brought their efforts together.

Federated Farmers will administer the donation through its dedicated Adverse Events Trust. Its President, Don Nicolson, believes the donation will provide benefit to the worst hit. It gives the Federation the means to provide practical relief such as providing emergency stock feed and bringing down volunteers. “Alliance Group’s generosity is a real enabler. It shows camaraderie and solidarity with affected sheep, beef and deer farmers,” he said.

While Alliance Group has initiated the fund and provided the initial donation, it would remain at arm’s length from its administration. The company hoped other agri-businesses would join with them and contribute. This was a point echoed by Federated Farmers who believes it is a time for the industry to come together. Since farmers are unsubsidised and the losses irreplaceable, it is through donations like this and working as a collective, that will help the most affected farmers to get through.

Mr Cuff said that while farmers in the south were extremely resilient, the storm which had lasted for a week had taken its toll. It is important that badly affected farmers received support from the rural business community to help them back on their feet.

The Adverse Events Trust is administered by Federated Farmers and can be contacted through free phone 0800 farming (0800 327 646).