Tuesday, 20 June 2023 07:55

Farmers back Nats' emissions plan

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
National Party leader Christopher Luxon. National Party leader Christopher Luxon.

National's plan to delay agriculture's inclusion in an emissions trading scheme has been applauded by farmers.

DairyNZ says it's a step in the right direction while Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the policy is closely aligned with its position.

Federated Farmers gave the plan 'five stars'. However, forest owners aren't happy with its proposed forest planting restrictions.

National says it plans to give farmers the tools they need to reduce emissions - such as gene edited crops, feed and livestock - by lifting the effective ban on gene editing and genetic modification technologies. It wants a fair and sustainable pricing system for on-farm agricultural emissions by 2030 that reduces emissions without sending production overseas. An independent board will be established to implement the pricing system.

National leader Christopher Luxon told Rural News that what his party has put forward is "practical and common sense". He says initially National supported He Waka Eke Noa but claims the government "blew it up and killed it".

Luxon says National has talked to the farming sector and asked them what a practical and pragmatic way was. He says NZ farmers are among the most efficient farmers in the world and are the backbone of our economy.

"So, the question of killing off our herds and moving that production that feed 40 million people overseas to less emission efficient farmers doesn't make sense," Luxon adds. "It doesn't solve global greenhouse gas emissions, but it destroys the livelihood of our farmers and our economy."

"We're really pleased to see the National Party are making commitments to put in place solutions that will work for farmers," Federated Farmers acting president Wayne Langford says. "It shows that they've been listening to farmers' concerns."

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says it has also been advocating for the focus to be on establishing a robust and credible measurement and reporting system for agricultural emissions that works for farmers.

"So, we are pleased the National Party has listened to our perspective and insights on how farmers can best play their role in addressing climate change.

"Farmers have sent us a clear message that they are unhappy with the pricing proposal that the He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership put to Government last year."

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says putting farming into the Emissions Trading Scheme will deliver poor outcomes for farmers.

"Both technology and targets are an important part of getting a system right and ensuring agriculture plays its part. Pricing was looked at to facilitate the necessary behaviour change. Pricing will only achieve outcomes if cost-effective tools and technology are available."

More like this

Featured

New ag degrees at Massey

Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.

The show is on!

It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.

National

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter