A not-very-clever piece of Muldoonist trickery has lulled most commentators into thinking the farming community has got off lightly in the Government's Kyoto announcement yesterday, ACT Rural Affairs Spokesman Owen Jennings said today.

"By frightening farmers with threats of heavy taxes on methane emissions and then backing off, the Government has left the rural community thinking it has achieved a small victory. However, a close examination shows that announced measures and proposed regimes will affect farmers heavily.

"The costs outlined by the Labour-Alliance-Alliance Government are going to be severe on farmers both directly and indirectly. Increased costs of fuel including diesel and coal will impact on the processing industries - costs that will be borne by farmers, making NZ agriculture less competitive and less profitable.

"It is obvious that the Government is determined to sign the Agreement and there will be every likelihood that costs will be gradually increased over time to become an even greater imposition on the rural community.

"If the farming community thinks they got off lightly they should read the fine print. Once again the Government's anti-business attitude has prevailed," Mr Jennings said.

ENDS

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