Farmers afraid of rush to ratify

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON agricultural editor

Federated Farmers says there is widespread concern among farmers over the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

The farmer lobby, which has discussed the topic at member gatherings and promoted its views through its publications since last year, has released the views of 860 farmers who responded to a survey last week.

Federated Farmers president Alistair Polson said the survey showed farmers were gravely concerned by the Government's seemingly premature intention to ratify the protocol.

He said more than 96 per cent of farmers surveyed opposed ratification while significant uncertainties remained over New Zealand agriculture's contribution to climate change, and while the Government had yet to work out its strategy to meet its obligations under the protocol. A similar percentage opposed ratification before New Zealand's key trading partners.

"There is no point in rushing into potentially high-cost, low-impact action where a more cautious approach could allow time to develop potentially low-cost, high-impact options," Mr Polson said.

"For the Government to consider ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, before clearly outlining the implications of meeting New Zealand's obligations ... flies in the face of rational policymaking."

Pete Hodgson, convener of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, said farmers had often been misled by speculation about a flatulence tax on livestock.

"The importance of a prosperous farming sector to the New Zealand economy is a key reason for the Government's intention to ratify the Kyoto Protocol," he said.

"New Zealand depends on an equable, stable climate for its prosperity more than any other developed nation. To a large extent we still buy our place in the developed world with grass and that is why it is so important for New Zealand to be part of the international effort to check global warming."

Mr Hodgson said he viewed research as the key to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, not taxation.

"I urge the farming community to think more about the benefits of funding a substantial research programme on reducing livestock methane emissions. Successful research in this area will pay a double dividend, both reducing emissions and increasing the food conversion efficiency of grazing animals."

Farmers should also reflect on the likely costs of doing nothing, he said. Floods, droughts and salt water in aquifers were among predicted consequences, as were more biosecurity and animal health threats from warmer climate pests and diseases.

Mr Hodgson said the Government would release a preferred policy on climate change for public consultation in about a month which would show it had no interest in hampering farmers' crucial contribution to the New Zealand economy.