9 May 2002

Canada's Rejection Of Kyoto Signals Warning Bells For NZ

News that Canada will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol at this stage is further evidence that New Zealand should not sign up to the protocol ahead of its major trading partners, National Agriculture Spokesperson Gavan Herlihy said today.

"Canada's rejection to sign up early should sound warning bells for New Zealand.

"For the environmental objectives of Kyoto to be successful there must be a truly global response, but with Canada now joining the US and Australia in opting out there is no justification for saddling our exporters with additional costs ahead of our competitors in the world marketplace.

"Canada's move further strengthens the calls from the vast majority of submitters on the Kyoto National Interest Analysis, to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Selection Committee, that the committee should not be recommending to Parliament that Government ratify.

"The Foreign Affairs Select Committee cannot and should not be recommending to Parliament that New Zealand should accept the NIA recommendation to ratify.

"New Zealand is the only developed country in the southern hemisphere which seems determined to proceed.

"Helen Clark's determination to be on the world stage ratifying Kyoto at the World Summit in Johannesburg in September has everything to do with politics and little to do with environment outcomes. It s time Helen Clark and Jim Sutton put the nation's interest ahead of their political interests," Mr Herlihy said.

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