New Zealand, currently a large agricultural exporter, may soon
become the first country to force farmers to pay for emissions from livestock, the
country’s “Ministry for Environment” said recently. The island nation released
a draft plan that would tax agricultural emissions from belching sheep and cattle, beginning in 2025. Reports indicate that “short-lived” and “long-lived” gaseous emissions would
be taxed differently, although a single measure to calculate their volume would
be used.
Kiwi “Climate Change Minister” James Shaw stated, "There
is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into
the atmosphere, and an effective emissions pricing system for agriculture will
play a key part in how we achieve that.” Sure. Now tell us the one about the
three bears.
The proposal includes incentives for farmers who reduce
emissions through certain feed additives and allows on-farm forestry to be used
to offset emissions. The Earth will be noticeably cooler by 2026, I’m sure.
Michael Ahie, chair of “He Waka Eke Noa,” a partnership between government, the primary sector,
and iwi/Māori designed to help equip farmers and growers to measure, manage,
and reduce on-farm agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate
change, opined, "Our
recommendations enable sustainable food and fiber production for future
generations while playing a fair part in meeting our country's climate
commitments.” He Waka what?
That’s so much bullsh*t (will New Zealand want to tax that,
too?). This would be a serious disruption and detriment to the country’s
farmers and food producers. Just what that nation—and the world-- needs
now.
A final decision on the scheme is expected in December.
We used to esteem farmers. And now we propose
to penalize them for providing food for us because their livestock may belch on
occasion? How the times have changed. Perhaps a better approach would be for
the government to leave farmers alone. Unfortunately, those who rule over us
are utterly incapable of leaving things—or us—alone. If something must be done,
how about giving the bovines a little Milk of Magnesia? That might be a bit
ironic for a cow, but what the hay? Or maybe slip them some Pepto-Bismol?
Di-Gel? Flax seed?
We’d be better off addressing the
emissions from Michael Moore, Joy Behar, Joy Reid, and Brian Stelter, among
others. They are far more toxic.
If New Zealand ends up enacting the
Belching Bovine Plan, it may not be a large agricultural exporter much longer.
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