Murray Darling rice crop needs water assurance

Key points

• Federal Member for Farrer David Farley says rice farmers in the Murray Irrigation district face serious losses unless water is released in time. He says the planting window closes in ten days from October 18.
• Farley wants federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt and NSW ministers Penny Sharpe and Rose Jackson to act.
• He estimates 80,000 to 150,000 tonnes of paddy rice could go unproduced, and 230 to 270 local jobs could be lost in the Edward River Shire.