sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

Farm spearheads emissions fight

Rural News
Farm spearheads emissions fight

Industry representatives from Meat and Wool will take their emissions trading scheme concerns to a Government select committee today, using a Southland farmer's plight as their case study reports The Southland Times. Taramoa sheep and beef farmer David Marshall shares the opinion of M&WNZ and the MIA that including livestock emissions in the scheme, when no other country does, places the sector at risk. Mr Marshall said the cost of paying for his emissions would equate to an extra $43,000 a year from about 2017 onwards. The alternative would be to plant enough trees to offset his carbon footprint but, because of the unsuitable growing conditions near the coast, he would have to plant enough pine to cover half his 247ha property, he said. "When we worked it all out, we saw the credits Meridian (Energy) has to purchase were only 70% more than our own industrial property. I would like to see the Government giving more guidance to farmers and everyone else on how to reduce emissions, rather than simply penalising those who pollute." M&WNZ chairman Mike Petersen said many rural communities relied on the sheep and beef sector for employment and jobs were sure to disappear. MIA chairman Bill Falconer said NZ's 15,000 commercial sheep and beef farmers and about 80 processing plants collectively generated export earnings of $6.8 billion a year, which was in jeopardy under the current legislation. "We could only contemplate an ETS for livestock if it properly incentives farmers to use proven mitigation technologies but leaves them no worse off compared to their overseas competitors," he said.

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.