Farmers want certainty
OPINION: We've been having constructive conversations with the Government recently around climate change and emissions from food production, but now is the time to see these conversations turn into action.
The Methane Science Accord is backed by a number of prominent farmers and others. The group's backers includes the likes of Jane Smith, Hamish Carswell, Derek Daniell, Helen Mandeno, Hamish de Lautour, Deborah Alexander, John Sexton, Hamish Bielski, Neil Henderson and Owen Jennings. The group says it has been joined by hundreds of other farmers and is 'independent of but supported by' organisations such as Groundswell, FARM, 50 Shades of Green and the Rural Advocacy Group. It is asking more farmers to join the cause.
The accord says it is cranking up a campaign to help convince both rural and urban New Zealanders that taxing methane is 'unscientific, unjustified and economic insanity'.
"The most recent science is clear. Ruminant methane - our sheep and cattle burps - should not be taxed," it says. "It is too insignificant and trivial to be properly measured."
The group adds that the outgoing government and other political parties have been threatening action based on false science. They want to update them and save rural communities.
"Government and agricultural industry modelling showed that 20% of sheep and beef production will be lost - along with 5% of dairy output. That hurts farmers, their families, their communities. Our country cannot afford that cost."
The group says a tax on methane could cost the average farmer over $100,000 depending on the carbon price. "Why pay when they cannot tell you how much warming your farm is producing?"
It describes moves to implement a methane tax a "political sop" and that is not scientifically justified.
"The most recent, unrefuted science is clear - methane's ability to warm is too inconsequential to measure or be taxed."
The accord says claims that international customers will take action if we don't pay for our methane emissions should be left up to individual exporters to deal with.
"If their customers demand produce with certain condition, the exporter/processor needs to incentivise their suppliers," it says.
"Why should one company force a tax on all farmers to satisfy their consumers?"
The group also disputes claims that money paid in methane taxes will be returned to the industry.
"More than $700 million has been allocated already and is being spent on dubious pursuits. Why create an unnecessary money-go-round?"
It also takes aim at levy bodies who have supported moves to tax methane emissions, describing these organisations as out of step with farmers.
"They will have to answer to levy payers. HWEN went down a rabbit hole focused on targets instead of warming ability."
More: www.methane-accord.co.nz
