Flatulence Tax Just Government Hot Air
ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today said that farmer organisations should not, under any
circumstance, cooperate with the Government over the imposition of the new flatulence tax.
"Despite the private sector's outstanding contribution to improved plant species - that commercial organisations have
been undertaking for decades - Labour seems to believe that crop and grass species research can now suddenly develop a
wonder product primarily because the Government is about to impose this new tax," Mr Eckhoff said.
"The private sector currently contributes $30-35 million a year into pasture and fodder crop species research. This
significant amount would indicate what the private sector is doing - making a mockery of the Government's new flatulence
tax. Clearly, research has been ongoing for many years and continues to do so. The imposition of this tax is neither
necessary nor welcome. The farming community must display, as strongly as possible, its objection to the productive
sector being whacked yet again by Labour.
"I am urging all farming leaders to totally reject any overture from the Government to impose yet another stealth tax
on the farming community," Mr Eckhoff said.