VICTORIAN Farmers Federation (VFF) Horticulture Group president Peter Cochrane says crop losses need to be kept in perspective when weighed against the “appalling” loss of life from the weekend’s bushfires.
Mr Cochrane said the VFF was still assessing damage to horticulture production across the state but the full picture might not be known for weeks.
He said initial assessments today had revealed at least four orchards and two potato farms destroyed.
“We’re still assessing it and the information is still coming in,” he said.
“The worst tragedy of these fires is the appalling loss of life. Losing a patch of carrots is nothing when you’ve lost your family.
“There are so many children that have died. It’s just terrible.”
Greenhouse and hydroponic producers are counting the cost to expensive infrastructure and irrigation equipment in the wake of the weekend blaze, which continues to threaten properties in Victoria and NSW.
Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Association president Graeme Smith said his organisation was closely monitoring damage to greenhouses in fire-ravaged Victoria, where many indoor tomatoes, capsicums and cucumbers are grown.
“Communication is very difficult at this point – it might be weeks before we really know what’s gone on,” Mr Smith said.
