New Zealand Farmers Could Soon Pay Flatulent Tax for Livestock Under World-First Plan
The New Zealand government has taken on the proposal by the farming sector for a separate pricing system on greenhouse emissions, which includes paying tax on the methane produced by livestock, most notably its cows and sheep.
In June, the He Waka Eke Noa, a partnership between agriculture leaders and the government, proposed that farmers calculate individually and pay for their methane and nitrous oxide emissions rather than based on national averages.
The proposal came amid mounting criticism of the sector, which is considered the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses at half of New Zealand’s gross emissions—yet is exempt from the country’s emissions trading scheme (ETS)….