Thursday, 05 December 2024 10:39

NZ out of step - report

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland. Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland.

New Zealand is out of step globally in looking to put a price on agricultural emissions from food production.

That’s one of the key findings of research commissioned by Beef + Lamb NZ, comparing New Zealand’s policies with a broad cross-section of 15 international jurisdictions.

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says they are calling for changes to New Zealand’s climate change policies on the back of the new research.

 “We’re urging the Government to consider an alternative approach, where the importance of food production is at the heart of climate policy and farmers are supported or rewarded for taking action to reduce emissions, rather than penalised.”

Acland says that they commissioned this research to show how other jurisdictions are treating their agricultural emissions as part of their policies on climate change.

With the European Union and NZ, countries included in the report are Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Uruguay, Brazil, Japan, South Africa and India. The report was written by independent consultant Macaulay Jones.

“There is a narrative in New Zealand that agriculture has been ‘let off the hook’ by excluding ruminant emissions from being priced in the ETS – but this report shows no country has put biological emissions into their ETS. We therefore welcome the Government’s recent amendment of the ETS that removed this threat,” says Acland.


Read More


The report found that every country is looking to reduce agricultural emissions but in very different ways.

One of the key implications of this research is that New Zealand is out of step globally in looking to put a price on agricultural emissions from food production, says Acland.

She notes that no other country, apart from Denmark, is currently intending to put a price on agricultural emissions. However, under the Danish policy proposal the impacts of the tax will be offset with billions of dollars of additional subsidies to their farmers.

“Rather than pricing agricultural emissions, the majority of jurisdictions analysed plan to use subsidies and incentives to support emissions reductions in the future.

“Most governments are investing heavily in R&D technologies to reduce agricultural emissions.

“While we acknowledge there is an expectation that further progress needs to be made in reducing emissions from food production, the report shows there are alternatives to an emissions price that can achieve the desired outcomes and B+LNZ strongly encourages the Government to look at these alternatives.

“We support market-led or other creative ways being explored to support the adoption of new technologies by farmers as these come on board and would like a more holistic approach being taken to what farmers can be recognised for.

“If New Zealand farmers were to face a price on emissions from ruminants, they will face significant competitive disadvantage as our competitors spend billions subsidising or incentivising their farmers.”

More like this

Farmers back Government pause on RMA plan changes

There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Featured

T&G Global returns to profitability

Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.

Rural backlash over plan to cut police staffing

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter