Kyoto Policies Must Be Sustainable

4 July 2006

Kyoto Policies Must Be Sustainable

The government must ensure that its climate change policy is sustainable in every sense, said Hugh Ritchie, the climate change spokesman for Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).

Mr Ritchie’s comments follow the government today announcing its work programmes on climate change policies covering areas such as energy, forestry, agriculture, the carbon tax, and transport.

“Federated Farmers is wary of suggestions that there could be yet more controls and targets imposed on farming practice,” Mr Ritchie said.

“Farmers are already under pressure from difficult trading conditions, high interest rates and ever-escalating costs, particularly for electricity and fuel.

“Federated Farmers will be seeking to ensure the government’s Kyoto policies do not deliver another blow to farmers and reduce the international competitiveness of New Zealand’s number one export earner.

“We recognise the government wants to move on its climate change policies, and we want to be involved in the debate on options.

“The government must not fall into the trap of taxing industry out of existence, and yet we will still have climate change, due to the emissions of other, far bigger countries.

“There must be a sensible examination of whether we should put more costs on industry or spend that money on energy efficiency or adapting to climate change,” Mr Ritchie said.

ENDS

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