New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden informed about a proposal to levy taxes from farmers upon livestock in order to control harmful climatic changes in a press conference this Tuesday.
With around 10 million cattle and 26 million sheep New Zealand is counted as a major livestock and meat exporter. Unfortunately agricultural contributes half of the country’s total emissions including 91% of its biogenic emissions of methane. In addition to being green-house gas methane is 80% stronger than Carbon Dioxide. The industry was devoid of the country’s Emission Trading Scheme that is a government regulatory body which sets limits on emissions by sector.
PM Arden stated that “This is an important step forward in New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future and delivers on our promise to price agriculture emissions from 2025. No other country in the world has yet developed a system for pricing and reducing agricultural emissions, so our farmers are set to benefit from being first movers”.
However the idea received negative responses from the farmers who are worried about the upsurge in amount they have to pay. In a statement, the government clarified that the revenue raised will be “recycled back into the agriculture sector through new technology, research and incentive payments to farmers”. This is to ensure that farmers could get back the value of their money.
Andrew Hoggard, president of the rural advocacy agency Federated Farmers, is of the opinion, “We didn’t sign up for this. It’s gut-wrenching to think we now have this proposal from government which rips the heart out of the work we did. Out of the families who farm this land. Our plan was to keep farmers farming. Now they’ll be selling up so fast you won’t even hear the dogs barking on the back of the ute as they drive off.”
Notably researchers at dairy company Fonterra are experimenting “Kowbucha,” a probiotic that could reduce methane-emitting burps. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said “By rewarding farmers who take action to cut their emissions we can support more farmers to improve their productivity and profitability while achieving climate goals,” The proposal would be sent to a consultation by the end of November this year.