Wednesday, 06 November 2019 08:45

Hot air?

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

With the Government wanting to implement huge costs on the livestock farming sector by making New Zealand the only country to include farming in an ETS, this old mutt thought it might actually get serious about funding mitigation research.

However, it seems PR stunts and warm fuzzies are the order of the day, going by its most recent effort.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor gained huge media attention for the Government’s backing of a project that “could substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from cattle”.

But this “backing” amounted to a piffling $100,000 granted to the Cawthron Institute to see if a native seaweed might be turned into a greenhouse gas-busting cattle feed supplement.

The joke is that $100,000 is far less than O’Connor and his office staff would spend a year on travel, and apparently AgResearch has already rejected the seaweed option.

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Is methane busting seaweed blocked in NZ by red tape?

A company growing and processing seaweed with known methane-busting properties at a facility in Bluff is expanding internationally but New Zealand cattle farmers won't be getting the product anytime soon.

Seaweed the hero?

OPINION: A new study, published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, adds to some existing evidence about a simple way to cut emissions dramatically - seaweed.

Seaweed wonder

OPINION: Research across the ditch has found that seaweed doesn’t just make a tasty wrap for sushi rolls.

Feds support live animal exports

Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.

Featured

PM hints Govt to deliver 46% reduction in farming consents

The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.

Leaving Paris Agreement would be a dumb move – PM

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.

University of Waikato breaks ground on new medical school

The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.

Te Radar celebrates kiwi farming heritage in latest release

Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.

Sheep Measles Spike: Farmers urged to strengthen control measures

Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.

Export delays, weather and global supply pressure hit NZ avocado growers

The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

National

Government approves nationwide recycling scheme for primary sector plastics

Rural recycling scheme Agrecovery is welcoming the Government's approval of regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme for agrichemicals and…