Rural Lobby Groups Seek Clear Election Positions On Farming And Emissions
Centre right parties are backing policy positions pushed by three farmer lobby groups ahead of the general election.
Outspoken Gore farmer Hugh Gardyne was critical of the Government failing to include representatives of the Methane Science Accord, set up by some South Island farmers, who are pushing for zero taxing of ruminant methane.
He describes the five-member panel of academics as "potentially self-serving".
"It overlooks the valuable contribution to the proposed methane panel that should come from a broader cross-section of NZ. I for one have lost confidence in the panel already," Gardyne told Government ministers in an email. The Government could have appointed at least one farmer representative, although we acknowledge chair Nicola Shadbolt is a dairy farmer.
