Media Release
17 October 2003
Farmers Still Paying Government's Way
New Zealand First welcomes Labour’s return to the real world as the government backs down on its crazy flatulence tax.
“In congratulating the farming community on forcing this back down it also has to be noted that the methane reduction
research will largely be paid for by the companies they own – Fonterra, Dairy Insight, and Meat New Zealand” said New
Zealand First Agriculture Spokesman Doug Woolerton.
“The arrogance of this government in proposing a statutory levy on our key exporters is matched only by their ongoing
woolly headed and politically correct programmes that take money from producers’ pockets and puts it into various
schemes of social reconstruction.
“Instead of export friendly policies this government seems hell bent on putting as many obstacles in the way as it
possibly can. Increasing red tape, growing compliance costs, and crippling monetary policies are all disincentives to
our rural producers”, said Mr Woolerton.
Ends