New Zealand Farmers Furious Over Historic Climate Levy
The New Zealand government has unveiled a world-first farm emissions levy, set to kick in from 2025. The plan aims to slash greenhouse gases from farming but has been slammed by farmers as a disaster in the making.
Farmers Warn Levy Will Devastate Rural Communities
Federated Farmers, the industry’s main lobby group, blasted the tax, warning it will “rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand.” The group predicts that farms will vanish as more land is converted to forestry.
“Our plan was to keep farmers farming,” said Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard. “Instead, farmers will be selling their farms so fast you won’t even hear the dog barking on the ute as they drive off.”
Why The Levy?
- New Zealand has 5 million people but 10 million beef and dairy cattle plus 26 million sheep.
- These animals produce methane and nitrous oxide, potent greenhouse gases heating the planet.
- Agriculture accounts for nearly half of New Zealand’s total emissions but was previously exempt from emissions trading.
Government Hails Levy as Climate Game-Changer
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the levy would make Kiwi farmers “the best in the world and the best for the world.” She touted the move as a competitive edge as consumers demand cleaner food sources.
“New Zealand’s farmers are set to be the first in the world to reduce agricultural emissions,” Ardern told reporters, highlighting the global climate emergency declared in 2020.
The plan sets prices on long-lived gases like carbon dioxide and on biogenic methane, based on expert advice. Funds raised will support farmers adopting tech to cut emissions, such as limiting burps from sheep and cattle.
The government aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, targeting a 10% cut in methane by 2030 and up to 47% by 2050.
