The new government rejected the bill of the previous cabinet, which assumed taxation of greenhouse gas emissions from farm animals.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on the social networking site X (Twitter) that the government is removing agriculture from the emissions trading system. Greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and other farm animals will not be taxed.
“Instead of imposing unworkable regulations on farmers, we are creating a new group that will constructively address methane emissions,” Luxon wrote.
As he stated, New Zealand wants to meet its climate obligations, but without closing farms. The leader of the New Zealand National Party, which took power after the recent elections, thus fulfilled his pre-election promises.
Without folding agriculture
New Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said New Zealand farmers are among the most carbon-efficient food producers in the world.
-The government is committed to meeting our climate change obligations without closing plantations and farms. There is no point in sending jobs and production abroad while less carbon efficient countries produce the food the world needs, said the agriculture minister. -That’s why we’re focused on finding practical tools and technologies for our farmers to reduce emissions in a way that doesn’t reduce production or exports.
Taken out of the ETS system
The ETS system in New Zealand will not cover agriculture, meat processing or fertilizer companies. The head of the ministry also criticized the previous left-wing cabinet for not listening to the voices of farmers and the agricultural industry when developing climate regulations.
“This government will future-proof our export growth to ensure the success of dairy farmers and sheep farmers who produce the high-quality protein sought by customers around the world,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture Mark Patterson.
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