10 May 02

Waikato Federated Farmers do not support ratification of the Kyoto Protocol despite assurances from the Minister of Finance Hon Dr Michael Cullen at their AGM yesterday that ratification will provide opportunities for New Zealand, says outgoing Waikato President John Vincent.

Waikato Federated Farmers passed a remit stating "Waikato Federated Farmers does not support early ratification of the Kyoto Protocol based on insufficient quantitative analysis of the impacts on agriculture."

"Dr Cullen was given a clear message that farmers are not happy with the Government's climate change policy, said Mr Vincent.

"While farmers will not be taxed for its methane emissions, the agriculture sector will be effected by the proposed carbon charge on fuel and energy, as agriculture is the basis of an integrated supply chain from paddock to plate.

"Farmers are concerned that the Government proposes farmer-funded research as the answer to reducing emissions from the agricultural sector, for uncertain outcomes. Research takes time, the results are highly uncertain, and the costs need to be factored in. The potential for adverse consumer reaction to the thought of manipulating livestock digestive systems cannot be ignored."

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