David Carter National Agriculture Spokesperson

18 July 2003

Backlash on farmer tax starting to hurt Govt

The Government slamming Federated Farmers and other farmers opposed to its ridiculous flatulence tax will not get it off the hook, says National Agriculture Spokesperson David Carter.

"Federated Farmers has a large and fast growing membership, and more people are signing up to it because farmers are increasingly concerned with this Government's anti-agriculture stance.

"Farmers, like everybody else, pay their taxes and all New Zealanders expect the Government to play its part on agricultural research and technology because this benefits the entire country through exports.

"This additional levy is nothing but another tax grab, which the Government hasn't done its homework on and can't justify. Every time these Ministers open their mouths on this they show how out of touch they are.

"Instead of attacking farmers, and calling them whingers, Government Ministers Hodgson and Sutton should listen to the protests and meetings being held around the country and admit defeat.

"National will repeal this tax, and like farmers, we will continue to speak out against it regardless of Government name calling," Mr Carter said.

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