A not-very-clever piece of Muldoonist trickery has lulled most commentators into thinking the farming community has got
off lightly in the Government's Kyoto announcement yesterday, ACT Rural Affairs Spokesman Owen Jennings said today.
"By frightening farmers with threats of heavy taxes on methane emissions and then backing off, the Government has left
the rural community thinking it has achieved a small victory. However, a close examination shows that announced measures
and proposed regimes will affect farmers heavily.
"The costs outlined by the Labour-Alliance-Alliance Government are going to be severe on farmers both directly and
indirectly. Increased costs of fuel including diesel and coal will impact on the processing industries - costs that will
be borne by farmers, making NZ agriculture less competitive and less profitable.
"It is obvious that the Government is determined to sign the Agreement and there will be every likelihood that costs
will be gradually increased over time to become an even greater imposition on the rural community.
"If the farming community thinks they got off lightly they should read the fine print. Once again the Government's
anti-business attitude has prevailed," Mr Jennings said.
ENDS