Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

No Easy Answer For ETS On Agriculture

DAIRYNZ NEWS RELEASE

No Easy Answer For ETS On Agriculture

DairyNZ says the Select Committee report on the Emissions Trading Scheme reinforces just how difficult it is going to be to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time ensuring the country’s most important export industry is not unfairly handicapped.

DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle says he’s pleased the Committee has given detailed consideration to issues affecting agriculture. “This is evidence of the challenges that are facing us. Right now no silver bullet exists for us to reduce agricultural emissions. We’re disappointed the report recommends the inclusion of agriculture in the scheme before dairy farmers – or any other farmers for that matter – have the tools available to actually do something which will reduce emissions.

“That said, we welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the Government makes significant on-going investment to reduce agricultural emissions and improve efficiency in pastoral systems.

Dr Mackle says DairyNZ argued that the point of obligation for agriculture should be at the farm level, and he’s pleased to see that recommendation has been adopted, as well as a call for high priority to be given to research into estimation and monitoring systems for emissions at this level. He says DairyNZ is already investing a significant amount of money with partners such as the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium into research on mitigation options.

“It really is a case of the devil being in the detail, and we will be working with Government to ensure the interests of dairy farmers – and therefore the interests of the New Zealand economy – continue to be taken into consideration in the formation of a fair and equitable ETS.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.